Summer of lunar calendar has already begun this year. According to the 72 seasons in ancient China, it is around the time when frogs begin to sing. The flowers are starting to bloom all at once and the fresh green is also beautiful. The sky is a clear blue. The season has come when the humidity is getting higher and I can enjoy the red sunset.
This year, False bindweed, which heralds the beginning of summer, has begun to bloom on Chigasaki Beach.Like cherry blossoms, they came into bloom much earlier than usual. Beautiful pink petals stand out against the blue sky and blue sea. It is sad that the number of colonies decreases year by year due to the strong storm in recent years and the increase of the exotic species Komatsuiyoigusa. The flower language is “Bond”. ～The photos and videos below are from last year.
That is the 82 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is 1000 hands of Kanzeon Bosatsu. It was founded by Kobo Daishi and converted to the Tendai sect in the Edo period. It is in the middle of Aomine of Goshikidai.I arrived at Shiramineji on foot on the former pilgrimage road, Negoroji-michi. Go down the stairs from the temple gate and go up to Daishi-do. Go up the stairs to the main hall. It is a cathedral utilizing the steep landform. I could see the nostalgic streets of Takamatsu and Yashima. Oniyuri and Kikyo (Chinese bellflower) bloomed in the precincts and healed the fatigue of the pilgrimage.
In Chigasaki, there is a famous camellia garden called Himuro-tsubaki Garden, which is at its best. There are 1000 camellias and 250 kinds of camellias planted in the garden, which is so beauty and spectacular. Cherry blossoms, rhododendrons and daffodils bloom, and you can hear nightingales chirping. It was mild spring breeze.
Chigasaki is also famous for Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms. About 70 Kawazu-zakura trees are in full bloom on the bank along the Koidegawa River. The dark pink flowers look beautiful against the rape blossoms and the sunset.
Kawagoe, located in the southwestern part of Saitama Prefecture, used to flourish as a castle town and is called “Koedo”. There are many historic sites such as shrines and temples, and the number of cultural properties in the Kanto region is said to be the third largest after Kamakura and Nikko. When I visited Kawagoe for the first time, it was covered with spring weather, and the white plum blossoms were in full bloom at Yakushi Shrine. The townscape of Kurazukuri remains well. The potato has been a specialty since the Edo period. The local sake is also delicious. The bell that is the symbol of the city is “Nihon Otofukei 100 Selection”. Shiki MASAOKA composed a haiku while he was a student here.
The Soga Plum Grove in Odawara is at its peak. At Kozu Station (KO- ZU) on the JR Tokaido Line, transfer to the Gotemba Line and get off at Shimosoga Station. About 35,000 white plum trees were in full bloom and reflected the sunset. Mt. Fuji is also nearby. This village of Soga is famous for ‘Soga Monogatari’, one of Japan’s three famous avenges. I remembered the Soga brothers at his family temple, Jozen-ji Temple.
Early blooming rape blossoms are in full bloom at Mt. Azuma in Ninomiya Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. The weather was nice and the silhouette of Mt. Fuji was beautiful. The sweet scent of rape blossoms fills the air and makes me feel refreshed for a while. The flower language is “cheerful love”.Spring is drawing near.“Risshun” （the first day of spring）is coming soon.
That is the 18th temple of Shikoku exceptional Sacred Sites.Its principal image is Seikanzeonbosatsu and its founder was Kobo Daishi. According to temple legend, this temple is the birthplace of Tamayori Gozen, Kobo Daishi’s mother. Behind the main hall is the Seto Inland Sea. I was comforted for a while by the calm view of the sea after a long time. At the temple gate, local sumo wrestlers greeted me instead of Nio statues. From the main hall to Daishi-do called Oku-no-in, cross the JR Yosan Line. Hydrangeas float on the chozubachi in Okunoin and it is beautiful.
It is the head temple of the Soto sect along with Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture. It was founded in the Nara period and is said to have been founded by Gyoki. The principal image is Shaka Nyorai. During the Meiji period,this temple moved from Ishikawa Prefecture to Tsurumi, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The precinct is huge. There are many temple buildings surrounded by trees and monks are in training. This site was open to the public, and the citizens were taking a leisurely walk. In the midst of silence, I visited Daisodo Hall, which houses the founder Dogen and other Zen priests. I heard the sound of drums from the distant hall.Mr. Yujiro Ishihara was buried in this temple. It is close to Tsurumi Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.
