Pages

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Japanese maple "Momiji" - Acer palmatum




The Japanese expression of autumnal colored leaves 紅葉 denotes two things: the Japanese maple tree (momiji) and all the tinted autumn leaves (koyo).  Though most deciduous trees do turn colors, the colors which have touched Japanese people’s heart at its core from the ancient time is Momii (Acer palmatum) for its breathtaking burst of fiery colors, which soon muted in colors in the onslaught of winter.


I've tried to capture the brilliant red I see with my eyes by setting white balance “cloudy”.  It is better to set exposure compensation a little under-exposed when it comes to red leaves, but to me it depends as I prefer lighter, brighter tones.







A twig in the fire
The charms of Momiji is not only red colors, though shades of red is the dominating colors.  It comes in all the hues from green to yellow, orange, to pink, purple, and to red, in their process of changing colors.






Single individual tree has many various different colors.


The fallen maple leaves and the reflections also show the various different colors.



Momiji season is going to end.

Wearing kimono, the ladies are into the mood of Kyoto.
December 5th, 2015


In the middle of December, the leaves still clinging to the branches get faded in colors like the photo below.


Momiji flare up suddenly and disappear as suddenly like "senko hanabi", a small traditional Japanese firework you can play at home.  After lighting, orange sparks fly soon in the shape of a cluster-amaryllis; those sparks quickly disappear and small sparks begin to twinkle; a red ball of fire on the end of the paper string gets bigger and bigger, and finally falls down.

Senko-hanabi or Momiji?

Momiji's last flare is beautiful but brief.
My late mother used to say every year in her later years,
 "I wonder if I'll be able to see this beauty next autumn again."

Embers of fire 

The fallen leaves will be decomposed to become part of the soil 
which will enable successful birth and growth of young plants.

25 comments:

  1. "I've tried to capture the brilliant red I see with my eyes..." --> You did it, Yoko!!!
    Your photographs are really superbly! And I can't believe the the "foliage" season has lasted that long! We miss the coloured leaves on our trees for more than one month already. But currently it has been that warm in late November and beginning of December, that the first bushes and buds already started to flourish again! They seem to get a kind of spring fever!!!
    Enjoy a great end of the year season dear friend.
    All the best from warm, but foggy Germany,
    Uwe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The shadows, the sparkling light, the fiery red - you have created little images of magic Yoko - I can understand your mother's thoughts, I feel the same except for me it is the spring blossom.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The scene where ladies wearing kimonos are by a bridge and beneath the trees is compelling. I like the light and shadows cast, the faded colours of the twisted fallen leaves all bundled together and huddled from the cold. We have a variety of Japanese maples in Canada. I have one in my backyard where a Buddha serenely sits beneath. A recent wind blew off the last leaves and trapped them alongside the fence but the statue contemplating life remains in the same place. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your photos are truly a sight for sore eyes. What magnificent splendor. I go into the day with a smile and warm heart. Thank you very much, Yoko!

    ReplyDelete
  6. De colors and the pictures are gorgeous !!!!!
    Thanks for sharing !
    Have a lovely day !
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sometimes the briefest flare of beauty is the one we remember and revere the most. Seeing your photos makes me want to visit Nara during the time the Momiji trees flare with color. You know that red is my favorite color, but I also like the other more muted tones of the tree. Even on the ground as they crinkle to dust, they are beautiful. Wonderful fall photos, Yoko!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love Japanese maples. I have too Acer shirasawanum and A. s. 'Aurea'. I have some Japanese maples in Finland.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You live with such beauty around you. The Japanese maples are so glorious in autumn and your photos are a feast for our eyes. Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. こんにちわ。  

    毎年同じ様に紅葉を観ているのですが、それでもまた、今年の鮮やかな色を目にするとまた新しい出会いに触れたような気がします。

    ReplyDelete

  11. Your artistic feeling is exquisite.
    Praise to the senses.



    紅に 染めし心も たのまれず  人をあくには うつるてふなり

     よみびとしらず  古今和歌集


    ReplyDelete
  12. Such beautiful colors of the leaves in autumn colors replace the summer flowers. Wonderful it looks. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can only say beautiful, beautiful! There are some gardens near my home where the Japanese maple grows, and I love seeing their fiery leaves turning red in the autumn.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "How enviable
    Turning beautiful then falling
    Maple leaves" -
    Kagami Shiko
    Shiko was a mentor to the wonderful haiku poet Chiyo-[1703-1775]
    How enviable
    Turning beautiful then falling
    Maple leaves

    Kagami Shiko, a haiku master and mentor to thr great Chiyo[1703-1775]
    Thank you for these beautiful photos - every year, Autumn trees seem more beautiful to me. I understand your mother's comments.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. opps - my little comment became confused and a bit repetitive - sorry...
      Mary

      Delete
    2. If I had known this poem by Shiko, I would have included it with quotation in the post,because it describes the sensation and sensitivity I tried to show. Thank you, Mary, for introducing it. I’m mostly ignorant of his works.

      Delete
  15. I think Japan is one of the coolest place to be at in winter, plus i guess Japan is the only country on the world that has an autumn. :) very famous is sakura! i love the cartoon related to that too, i used to watch it in my younger days, cardcaptor sakura

    ReplyDelete
  16. こんばんは。今年の紅葉はやや、鮮やかさに欠けると言われてますが、 Yoko 様のお写真はとても美しいです。もうすぐ年の瀬、一年の経つのは早いです。

    ReplyDelete
  17. These wonderful maple trees. Its colors are fantastic colors !!!
    A hug.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What beautiful colours and I like the way you photographed the leaves.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful, glorious autumn. I love the deep rich colours. Who needs flowers when the leaves are so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stiletto, for this comment. I visited your blog and tried to leave a comment like before, but it required me to post a comment with my full name, which I’m unwilling to.

      My comment is as follows. Senduduk is such a beautiful flower. It reminded me of my late mother who liked and looked nice with purple color, both bluish and reddish.

      Delete
  20. They are beautiful trees and I'm sure that English people admire them as much as those from Japan; there are certainly lots of specimens growing in English gardens.

    ReplyDelete
  21. よく撮れていますね。お見事としか言いようがないくらい。 どれも素敵ですが、もし、選ぶとしたら、5番目の写真かしら? 色が大変きれいです。 他の州に住んでいる友人が最近日本の旅から戻って来ました。 気候が暖かいせいか、京都の紅葉がいまひとつあでやかさに欠けてるという話をしていて、そうなのかと思っていましたが、この写真で見る限り、美しくて、一度は紅葉の時期に日本に行ってみたいと思うこの頃です。

    ReplyDelete
  22. 秋の紅葉、なんだか遠い頃のような気がしてます。毎日バタバタしてるからかもしれません。曇りの設定にして正解でしたね。紅葉の赤が見事です!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I will visit your blog shortly. Have a nice day!