Kamakura Great Buddha: Kotoku-in temple, Hase

As a seasonal event for adorning the end of summer, the colossal bronze statue of Buddha is lit up at night during the final week of August.

Being illuminated by the golden light, the Great Buddha is shining gloriously in the evening darkness, which makes me see the vision of its solemn gilded figure in far distant past. A lot of lamps which symbolize lotus flowers and sacred lights are twinkling gently on the approach to the Buddha.

The sea breeze from the nearby beach is surrounding me. In the calm voice of this warm breeze, I hear the silent prayers whispered by an untold number of past people for salvation.

(Please refer to the link destination, "the Great Buddha and Kotoku-in.")

Kamakura Great Buddha: Kotoku-in temple, Hase

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is the seated image of Amitabha Buddha. In Buddhism, Amitabha or Amida Nyorai is the supreme deity who has infinite light of wisdom and measureless life to save all people from spiritual darkness and suffering in this transient world.

He is present in the Pure Land in the West and descends from there to greet the souls of the dead and lead them to his pure land.

The worshipers of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism have believed that they can certainly cross over into the Western Paradise after death by continuing to chant "Namu-amidabutu" ("I sincerely believe in Amitabha Buddha") wholeheartedly in this harsh earthly world.

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

According to the Flower Garland Sutra of Buddhism, countless lotus flowers adorn and envelop the pure land where Rushanabutsu (the central deity shining on the whole universe) is sitting. The infinite light of wisdom emitted by this shining one illuminates living things all over the universe to lead them to spiritual enlightenment.

The bright sunlight of the midday sun is making this flower shine radiantly as if a small shining deity inside this flower were emitting the limitless light of wisdom and truth to the world.

Kamakura Great Buddha: Kotoku-in temple, Hase

Fuyo (Hibiscus mutabilis) flowers: Eisho-ji

Tsumaguro-Hyoumon (Argyreus hyperbius) butterfly (female): Kita-kamakura

Kanoko-yuri (Lilium speciosum) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Cast‐off shell of a cicada: Engaku-ji

Sacred lotus flowers: Kaizo-ji

Stone images of Kannon Bosatsu; Engaku-ji

Summer clouds: Yuigahama-beach

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

During the brief period of only four days, the flower of sacred lotus opens quietly, comes into full bloom splendidly, and then falls apart in just one breath of air.

In the bright glaring sunlight of midsummer, I found a lotus flower which had already finished its role in life and passed its best time of bloom.

Its golden stamens were drooping gracefully around the pollinated receptacle. The bright magenta petals had begun bending gradually, waiting for the time to be scattered in the summer gentle breeze without losing their dignity.

Blue heron: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

On the wooden floating bridge lying on the pond, a blue heron is standing still, gazing fixedly at the water surface in search of prey.

The thick green leaves of sacred lotus are flourishing vigorously and covering the water surface almost thoroughly.

Just like the ardent voice emitted by the dazzling sun of high summer, the lively chirping of cicadas is continuing to sound over the pond endlessly.

Summer blue sky: Tsurugaoka-hachimanbu

Summer rainy season had already passed by without a trace. The countless colorful flowers of Ajisai had vanished completely like a fleeting illusion which the rainy sky had let me see.

Now the intense sunlight of midsummer is blazing on oppressively to erase the faintest memories of long rain from the summer sky.

Lush green trees and plants are thirstily absorbing strong sunlight to continue their robust growth with rapture. The rows of solid-white cirrocumulus clouds are firmly suspended in the true blue sky high above me.

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

By the side of the Karamon (Chinese gate) of this old Zen temple, a white silky lotus flower is blooming in a modest and noble manner in the beaming sun of high summer.

A flower of sacred lotus patiently comes up to the surface of muddy water and opens in an untainted and pure figure in the rising sun.

Because of this, in the teachings of Buddha, a lotus flower is regarded as a blessed symbol of the infinite wisdom and compassion which Buddha gives us.

Lily flowers: Engaku-ji

Stone image of Kannon Bosatsu: Engaku-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Water lily flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Nouzen-kazura (Campsis grandiflora) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

The colorful flower of Ajisai is one of the most precious gifts from this summer rainy season in Kita-kamakura.

The hazy sunlight falls down from the cloudy sky and softly enhances the subtle mixtures and gradations of various colors which Ajisai flowers present.

The humid warm air after a short rainfall lightly moistens the petals and leaves to try to keep them fresh and glossy against the swift passage of time.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

In the long spell of rainy weather, the flowers of Ajisai bloom vigorously one after another and continue changing their colors with the aid of the enigmatic chemistry between rain and soil. 

As rainwater flows into their ornamental petals, the variations and shades of colors spread gradually on the surface of the petals like the pale watercolors for a painting of rain.

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla f. normalis) flowers: Kaizo-ji

After the long rain, the patches of blue sky have just appeared through breaks in the thick clouds unexpectedly.

The vivid blue flowers of Ajisai are shining brightly in the momentary summer sun to let me remind that dazzling high summer will soon arrive and dominate here in company with the unclouded deep azure sky.