Color and fragrance of early spring at Yatsuri

My husband and I drove to Yatsuri on a misty morning. 

Yatsuri is located on the east edge of Asuka Village. The name “Chikatsu-Asuka-Yatsuri Palace” appears in the old chronicles as being established as the seat of the new Emperor Kenzo (顕宗天皇), in 485 much earlier than Asuka period (592-710). 

While scholars can identify and associate with some historical evidence to Asuka Period, there seem to be no clear evidence about the ancient palace of Yatusri, though there's a shrine (引計皇子神社), which is thought to be the location of the palace and the local people call it "Yatsuri no miya-san/palace of Yatsuri". Many tumuluses have been excavated in Yatsuri-Higashiyama area. They are thought to be the tombs of the local powerful family of 6^th and 7^th century.  Yatsuri-Higashiyama Kofungun/ Ancient Tumulus Clusters

Yatsuri is a sleepy but serene farming village where old farmhouses are nestled at the "satoyama/undeveloped woodland near populated area", behind which there are Mt. Unebi and  then Mt. Nijyo.  Mt. Nijyo is disappeared in the mist in the photo below.

 

From mid-January to mid-February,  Robai (Yellow Winersweet) bloom fragrantly in the area which sinks into silence in winter. The small waxy blooms of sulphur yellow are simply lovely to see.

Another thing I know about Yatsuri is that the place was loved very much by a Nara-born, Nara-loved photographer, Taikichi Irie.  To represent the characteristic atmosphere of Yamato (old name of Nara) which had lasted since immemorial, he tried to capture wet, aerial feeling and shaded nuance. He preferred wet landscape.  These are the scenery of Yatsuri Irie loved in good and old days of Japan.

Summer Yatsuri by Taikichi Irie

Yatsuri at dusk by Irie Taikichi
Cultural Landscape of Japan - Nara Yamatoji 

I like atmospheric photos shot in twilight, rain, or mist but to take such pictures nicely is challenging to me.   The four images below were taken on a sunny morning in mid-January of the last year.  

Robai blossoms always please me either under the misty sky or in the full sunlight.

In the photo below, Mt Unebi and Mt Nijyo are seen more clearly than in the third image.

Weather turned to the chill after the weekend's spring-like temperatures. The whole country is gripped in the coldest wave this season, and the  highest temperature is forecasted 4 degrees C for tomorrow here in Nara where snowfall is a rare event. When we go through the harshest part of winter, spring is around the corner. According to the traditional Japanese calendar, today is the first day of spring.

 -  Posts related to Asuka including this post, here. -