Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha (Bangkok, Thailand)

I traveled in Thailand last week. This photograph of the Buddha entering nirvana is one of the unforgettable souvenirs of this exciting travel. 

When I returned to Kita-kamakura, cherry blossoms and other spring flowers had already come into full bloom to adorn the gardens with their dazzling colors.

Because the life of a flower is very short and seasons are changing rapidly, I have to busy myself over recording the fleeting beauty of living things on photographs in this bright springtime.

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) and Ume ( (Prunus mume) flowers in Tokei-ji

The enchanting colors of flowers are returning gradually to the gardens of Zen, together with the delightful spring warbles of birds among the leafy trees and the pleasant fragrances in the balmy breeze.

Every flower blooms and scatters for letting us wake up to the transient but precious beauty of our world.

In Buddhist culture, a flower symbolizes the infinite mercy and wisdom of Buddha.

Ume (Prunus mume) flowers in Engaku-ji

Ume (Prunus mume) flowers in Tokei-ji

Ume (Prunus mume) flowers in Engaku-ji

Kawazu-zakura (Cerasus lannesiana Carrière, 1872 'Kawazu-zakura') flowers in Engaku-ji

Ume (Prunus mume) flowers in Engaku-ji

Ume (Prunus mume) flowers in Jochi-ji

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) flowers in Jochi-ji

Ume (Prunus mume) flowers in Tokei-ji

Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers in Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

The long gloomy winter is over and spring has returned quietly together with its fragrant beauty.

The fresh bright colors of flowers and leaves are coming back to our gardens with hurried steps one after another to remind us of the true joy of life.

The countless buds of flowers and leaves, which have swollen fully in the cold of winter, are momently looking forward to the long-awaited days for their bursting out in the mild spring sunlight.

Suisen (Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis) flowers in Engaku-ji

The flowers of narcissus are in full bloom in the spring gardens of Kita-kamakura. 

Usually these flowers bloom in midwinter and give off a pleasant fragrance in the chilly scentless air.

In the sunny gardens where spring has awakened, the delightful aroma of ume flowers is pervading the warm air and innocently concealing the precious fragrance of these late-blooming narcissus flowers.

Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers in Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

This bright azure blue of the clear sky was eagerly expected in the long gray winter.

The pure white flowers of ume are vigorously beginning to bloom with one accord to genuinely welcome the arrival of spring.

Otome-tsubaki (Camellia japonica f. otome) flower in Engaku-ji

Without being seen, a flower of Otome-tsubaki is in bloom secretly under the leaves.

When the cherry blossoms bloom in April, such tsubaki flowers, which consoled us with their bright colors in almost flowerless winter, disappear mostly from our gardens.

The word "otome" means "a young lady," which well suits the elegant figure of this double-petal flower.

Jyugatsu-sakura (Prunus subhirtella Miq. var. autumnalis Makino) flowers in Tokei-ji

The pale pink flowers of Jyugatsu-sakura are blossoming inconspicuously on the the leafless branches arched across the narrow grove path.

"Jyugatsu-sakura" means "October sakura" and its flowers modestly blossom in October and April.

This flower can be seen throughout winter as a humble but precious flower in this cold gloomy season.

Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers in Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

The scarlet flowers of ume are gorgeously blooming as if to express their joy of meeting the spring again.

Until next winter comes, as the seasons change, the gardens of Zen are successively decorated with the bright colors of various flowers and leaves.

Fukujyu-so (Adonis ramosa) flowers in Engaku-ji

The vivid yellow flowers of Hukujyu-so are blooming in a rush as if to be surprised by the early arrival of spring.

These flowers generally bloom in the cold season (in February and early in March) before the warmth of spring spreads through the air.

For standing the coldness, this flower closes when it doesn't get enough sunlight and it opens again when it catches the sun once more. 

The word "Hukyju" means "happiness and longevity."

Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers in Engaku-ji

The silky white flowers of ume are smiling with joy in the pleasant spring sunlight. 

Soon ume flowers will come into full bloom and fill the bright gardens with their graceful beauty and sweet fragrance.

The winter seashore: at Shichirigahama-beach

In the golden glow of the setting sun, the waves washing the shore are sparking softly in the clear evening chill.

The biting wind of winter has calmed down finally and only the continuous sound of the sea is floating along the empty raven-black shore.

The winter seashore: at Yuigahama-beach

At the water's edge, in the splendor of the slanting sun, a barefoot boy has run away in a flash before my eyes.

Time goes by ceaselessly. On the bright seashore which waves wash endlessly, we sweep through our lives like a blast of wind.

The winter seashore: at Yuigahama-beach

The setting sun is slowly sinking beyond the dark headland and is turning the cloudless sky to gold in the west.

In the amber evening glow which softly illuminates the calm surface of the sea, a father, a mother and a boy are standing still on the quiet beach and are staring the far distant horizon as if to gaze into the eternity.

The winter seashore: at Shichirigahama-beach

The glow of sunset is casting the moving shadow of waves on the glittering sands.

At the water's edge, the remainders of waves are sparkling like gold dust in the declining sun.

The winter seashore: at Yuigahama-beach

On the beach flooded with the bright light from the slanting sun, children are playing joyfully with the waves which are endlessly breaking and receding.

Perhaps they may know that life was born in the sea in a far-gone age.

Mt.Fuji in the twilight (Shichirigahama-beach)

The twilight is tinting the midwinter sky with light cinnabar-red. The land and sea are finely colored in the subtle gradations of violet.

This lucid and peaceful landscape of Mt.Fuji is the precious gift of the dry and transparent chilliness of this season.

The evening sun: at Shichirigahama-beach

The dazzling sun is gloriously sinking behind the shadowy silhouette of the distant peninsula.

The calm surface of the cold sea is reflecting the evening glow as a long strip of golden sparkles.