金色の ちひさき鳥の かたちして 銀杏ちるなり 夕日の丘に
In the
shape of golden small birds
Leaves fall from Gingko tree
On the hill. against the
evening sun
- Akiko YOSANO (1878-1942) -
A flock of golden birds
Did the scene of the Tanka poem by Yosano unfold before your eyes?
I wanted to capture the tiny fan-shaped leaves flattering like golden birds,
but unfortunately it wasn't time for them to fly around.
"Irregularly notched leaves, often deeply grooved in the middle of the leaf.
Because of the two distinct lobes, the name is Ginkgo biloba (two lobes)."
Ginkgo biloba is a living fossil, the only tree species which have survived nearly 270 million years.
At the time of dinosaurs, there were many species of Ginkgo but almost all of them are extinct.
I walked along the streets lined up with Ginkgo trees in Tenri City, south to Nara City.
A brook runs along the one side of the road.
Looking down the brook, I saw fallen leaves on the green plants.
To my pleasure, different colors of my favorite Chinese Tallow leaves popped out.
They were shimmering in the water mirror.
Fallen leaves were drifting ashore.
With the sudden burst of light, the reflections got clearer.
When I turned my eyes back to the Ginkgo trees, they were glowing luminous gold.
This avenue from Tenri City Hall to Tenri University is a lesser-known spot
for enjoying Ginkgo leaves.
The yellow canopy would have disappeared by now with some drifting leaves left on the road.
Most of the fallen leaves are raked for safety and claeanliness by student volunteers and Tenri-kyo followers.
Tenri City is a unique modern city founded in 1954, named after Japan's new religion Tenri-kyo
(Teaching of Divine Reason), with its headquarters in the city.
Yesterday, we visited a shrine for a ritual of Y's Shichi-Go-San for her seventh year.
Amid the worsening COVID-19 situation, we were so fortunate to have been able to make it,
even without eating celebratory dinner together.
Linked to Mosaic Monday
How beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures !!! As always....I have a ginkgo tree in my backyard and it's, for me, a golden tree....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mosaic !
Have a lovely week !
Anna
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful tree. The Ginkgo leaves are lovely, beautiful collection of photos.
Take care, enjoy your new week ahead!
Beautiful yellows, I love the reflections in the water!!
ReplyDeleteWe have Ginkgo trees in our small town, but I haven't noticed them looking quite so golden as yours, which are simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that you managed to visit a shrine for a ritual of Y's Shichi-Go-San celebrating her seventh year. Your little grandchildren are all beginning to grow up quickly.
What a nice tradition to celebrate and a milestone for your granddaughter as she becomes more curious and aware of all the delights in her world. Also, what pretty pictures the Ginkgo trees make … their golden hue like wings of sunlight spreading across the streets.
ReplyDeleteI love the golden leaves, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteDawn aka Spatulas On Parade
Sweet Y - she looks like a pretty flower. I'm glad you were able to attend her celebration. Those golden ginkgo leaves are beautiful, and the red tallow offers a lovely contrast. I like the reflection photos.I'd like to walk through that golden carpet of ginkgo leaves.Stay well, Yoko!
ReplyDeleteYoko - I remember well a ginkgo tree from my childhood - it grew in the yard of one of our neighbors, and the name so interested me that it was memorable, even for a child. Such glorious pictures. I actually think the ones with the fallen leaves are the most attractive and interesting. I am glad you were able to attend the ceremony for your grand-daughter! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an extraordinary sight! We have the occasional Ginkgo tree here but I've never seen so many together. I'm glad to hear that at least some part of life is able to continue despite the virus.
ReplyDeletethe whole street lined with Ginko trees- what a spectacular sight. amazing colours.
ReplyDeleteENCHANTING ,EXQUISITE AND SPECTACULAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletethank you soooooooooo much for taking along dear Yoko !!!!!!!!!!!!
it was very uplifting and pleasing walk indeed :)
oh yes poem portrayed so beautifully how divine and stunning these pretty leaves look when sunlight cross through them :))) must be MAGICAL SIGHT :)
I am amazed with history of these magnificent trees my friend ,glad you shared
how nice you were able to visit shrine during hard days ,your granddaughter looks so pretty :)
more blessings to you and yours!
Un post de oro Yoko. Ese árbol es precioso. La ciudad está bien adornada con ellos
ReplyDeleteSi que somos afortunados de poder seguir bien, amiga. Ojalá el virus se desaparezca pronto.
Bonita la celebración. Ya vendrá el tiempo que podamos celebrar las reuniones familiares. Ahora tenemos que seguir con mucho cuidado.
Buen diciembre Yoko. Cuídate.
Un abrazo.
Son preciosos los colores de las hojas del los árboles en otoño.
ReplyDeleteDa gusto circular por la carretera, con esos asombrosos árboles a cada lado de ella.
Saludos desde España.
What gorgeousness!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the season. :)
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow - that is just so gorgeous!
ReplyDelete七五三お祝いのお祝いが出来てよかったですね。おめでとうございます。
ReplyDelete天理にはいいタイミングで行けましたね。銀杏の絨毯があってこその天理の銀杏です。
10年ほどの間に何回か絨毯目指して行ってますが、出会ったのは一度だけです。
Prześliczne.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it did. Vividly!
ReplyDeleteHi, Yoko, it is great to be reading you. The shots made me accompany you in the walk. You always discover something wonderful, like that ooooold tree. Thank you, dear friend. After a busy day it is a marvel! Your seven-year-old is a charming young lady.
P.S. Separate thanks for poetry. Is it a tanka? I thought tankas contain 5 lines, while haiku - 3. I'll be glad to be your pupil!
Enjoy your warm December.
Irina
Good question, Irina. It is a tanka poem. I was not thoughtful to have written Japanese in one line. The poem consists of five lines and 5,7,5,7.7 words for each line. Tanka poem flows smoothly not like “cut” in some of haiku, so I wrote it in one line. English is written to explain the meaning, not in taka form. My intention was to show striking imagery written in the poem.
DeleteWhen written in Japanese hirakana, you’ll understand it as tanka from its structure.
こんじきの
ちひさきとりの
かたちして
いちょうちるなり
ゆうひのおかに
Winter has come at last. Our December is not warm any more. Brrrr....
The ginko trees are lovely! The entrance to the theatre in my small town is lined with small ginko trees. They are still young trees and they will grow bigger. I love the shape of the leaves. I have often taken the leaves home and used them in my art. Such a beautiful colour in the autumn.
ReplyDelete