Fuyo (Hibiscus mutabilis) flowers in Engaku-ji

Beneath the sky of deep cloudless blue, the white flowers of Fuyo, which have beautified the very end of summer, are blooming lively as if to heartily rejoice in the precious bright sunlight still staying behind after the end of summer.

The clear serene air of early autumn refines the azure of this sky to the utmost.

The blazing sunlight and intense heat, which have long reigned over here, are fading away being aware of the time of their withdrawal.

Miyagino-hagi (Lespedeza thunbergii) flowers in Kaizo-ji

The countless small magenta flowers of Miyagino-hagi have begun to bloom in concert for notifying us of the long-awaited arrival of beautiful autumn.

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers and a Kuroageha (Papilio protenor） butterfly in Tokei-ji

A black swallowtail with worn-out wings was faintly fluttering about among the garden flowers to suck nectar from them.

I remember that, in the brilliant sunlight of midsummer, such a butterfly always flied high up in the air in a noble and majestic manner.

The flower of Higanbana is a sign of the deepening of autumn. Within a very short time, butterflies of summer will vanish away from this garden without leaving a trace.

Susuki (Japanese pampas grass) spikes in Jochi-ji

A Tsumagurohyomon (Argyreus hyperbius) butterfly in Tokei-ji

Maple leaves in Tokei-ji

The green leaves of Maple are quietly waiting for the moment of their brilliant metamorphosis.

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers in Tokei-ji

Murasaki-shikibu (Callicarpa japonica）fruits in Tokei-ji

Golden waves at Yuiga-hama beach

The evening sun, which was quietly sinking behind the edge of hills, turned the lapping waves dark gold for a while.

The golden waves were softly beating upon the tranquil seashore without end.

The everlasting melodious sound of the sea made me hallucinate that the passage of time had stood still eternally in that setting sun.

The setting sun at Yuiga-hama beach

A boy is running after the glowing setting sun which is about to hide from view.

He must know that this day never returns again.

Fallen leaves in Jochi-ji

A blue sky of September

The grove of Tokei-ji

A water lily flower in Kaizo-ji

I found a small newborn flower of water lily blossoming stealthily on the quiet water surface of a Suiren-bachi (a basin for water lily) in Kaizo-ji.

Although the remaining intense heat of high summer is still ruling here, I can feel a gentle hint of autumn in the smooth air and the transparent blue sky.

The various flowers of summer will soon disappear from view as if to know the closing of their brilliant blooming days.

This angelic flower, which would fade away swiftly, seemed to be one of the last traces of the season which is departing away gradually.

Tama-ajisai (Hydrangea involucrata) lowers in Jochi-ji

Under a blazing sun, the modest violet flowers of Tama-ajisai have already begun to burst out from their sphere (Tama)-shaped bracts in every corner of Kita-kamakura to notify us about the end of summer and the start of autumn.

The strong summer sunlight, which is about to complete its duty, is drawing sharp dark silhouettes of leaves to quietly leave its parting words with us.

A sacred lotus flower in Kencho-ji

Fuyou (Hibiscus mutabilis) flowers in Kaizo-ji

A Fuyou (Hibiscus mutabilis) flowers in Kaizo-ji

Sarusuberi (Lagerstroemia indica) flowers in Kaizo-ji

White clouds above Engaku-ji

The blistering sun of August is overwhelmingly taking over the quiet hill and valley surrounding this old temple with its abundant light and intense heat.

The bluish-green coppered roof of the Buddha hall is glistening in the relentless sun.

The luxuriant summer leaves of trees are absorbing the brilliant sunlight in a rapture of delight.

The deep voices of sutra-chanting are sounding in unison with the ecstatic singing of cicadas.

White feathery clouds are endlessly drifting across the dazzling azure sky.

Shukaido (Hardy begonia) flowers in Engaku-ji

The small coral pink flowers of Shukaido are put on the rim of the stone washbasin as a traditional seasonal symbol to please the eyes of the visitors to this Tacchu (minor temple) called Obai-in (winter jasmine house) .

The name "Shukaido" means "a flower which blooms in autumn" and this flower represents one of the first signs of autumn in our traditional sense of seasons.

Although high summer still reigns overpoweringly, autumn is approaching slowly but steadily.

Stone Bosatsu images in Engaku-ji

In the glaring afternoon sun, the sharp silhouette of a Hakuunboku (white cloud tree) is falling onto the Hyaku-Kannon garden (the garden of one hundred Kannon-bosatsu images).

The countless white flowers of this tree, which once blossomed in full glory in May, have already become the cascades of green fruits which are lazily swaying to the hot wind.

The moss-covered stone images of Kannon are quietly gazing into the currents of time passing swiftly in front of them.

Ominaeshi (Patrinia scabiosifolia) flowers in Tokei-ji

A bamboo grove in Meigetsu-in

Susuki (Japanese pampas grass) in Meigetsu-in