水仙 Suisen, Japanese Narcissus, are the first bulbs of the year to emerge
as early as January or a little before.
They are called "雪中花 settchuka", flowers in the snow, as well.
They are different from "trumpet narcissus" blooming toward spring.
Dainty snow-white flowers and slim blades are from vigorous long-lived bulbs.
As 水仙 literally means "water nymph" and "narcissus" reminds of Greek mythology,
they often bloom around water front.
At the Hannaji Temple, they play around stone Buddhas and join in prayers
like white candles with bright yellow flame.
Suisen bowls are offered to the Buddhist statues.
They look like candle light.
Hannyaji Temple is a small temple famous as “a temple of flowers”,
especially for cosmoses in autumn as is called "cosmos temple".
especially for cosmoses in autumn as is called "cosmos temple".
The precinct was sunk in silence in the chilly air a little before the gate was closed.
I enjoyed that ambience.
Last but not least, I hope you've started a nice, peaceful new year.
While I enjoy the slow pace of life after my families went back to their homes,
the livelier beat has returned before I know it.
The mosaics are a part of the new year cards reached on January 1st
from my relatives and friends.
I'm catching up with old friends whom I haven't seen in years in person,
which is going to be one of my nicest things this year.
As I feel uncomfortable looking at the computer screen,
I'll be away from the laptop till late March when I have cataract surgery.
Linked to Mosaic Monday