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Monday, March 15, 2021

The garden of "Iraka" prior to Sakura season






Weather has been unpredictable as usual with stormy or rainy days,
but it didn't detract from the signs of spring that were evident all around.
Before Sakura monopolizes stage, there are lovely, eye catching flowers native to Japan
which are due to bloom from late winter to early spring.
I walked around in the Japanese garden of Nara Kasugano International Forum "Iraka"  in Nara Park.

First of all,  these soft yellow flowers are "Tosamizuki", Spike winter hazel.




I love its autumn leaves, too.

 November

"Asebi", Japanese Andromeda, or Pieris japonica, is abundant in the garden.
The delicate, drooping flowers are so lovely.


I climbed to the upper ground under the tunnel of Japanese Andromeda both white and pale pink.




At the top there is a gazebo surrounded by Japanese Andromeda.
A nice place to rest.


A little distance from the gazebo,  the Five-storied Pagoda of Kofuku-ji, 
and the Ikoma Mountain ranges are seen.

Effect of Impressive Art of camera

"Yabu-tsubaki", Camellia japonica, outstands in the faded colored backdrop.


The green leaves are "Shaga", Iris japonica.


Iris japonica is evergreen perennial.
I spotted two blooms too early for its flower season.



Daffodils, various design of footways, lanterns, and the Iraka building
seen through trees also caught my eyes.


Massive evergreen!


Life is growing steadily also in the pond.



Ume (Prunus mume) blossoms are fading away.


They have been replaced by early-blooming "Kohigan-sakura", Prunus subhirtella,
which bloom around Vernal Equinox.
It was reported  the first blossom of Somei-yoshino variety was found in Tokyo yesterday.
Sakura season is just around the corner, but with the constant swelling of the buds
peoples' code of action against COVID is loosening.
We should enjoy Sakura viewing prudently when it 's still a long way for herd immunity.



The garden of 甍 Iraka is open to public free of charge.
As you see in the photos, the building features big roof made of Japanese roof tiles
and is situated in the heart of Nara Park.

Inside and outside of Iraka building

Keep tuned!

Linked to Mosaic Monday

20 comments:

  1. Dear Yoko,
    dropped by for a sec, thanks for a break. Subdued colours, water reflections. greenery, young deer - so so comforting, as if I had walked with you.
    Having a hectic time, hope, yours is more relaxing. Keep safe, dear friend!
    With warmest wishes,
    Irina

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  2. Gorgeous pictures ! The Nature in Japan is amazing ! So many colors and forms ! You are a lucky woman to live in this country.
    Have a lovely week !
    Anna

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  3. You are such an amazing photographer! WOW! Such pretty blooms and sights there at this time of year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your photos are gorgeous. We are also getting rain in our Dry Season, here in Trinidad and Tobago
    I am at #11 on the linky today.

    Have a good week

    Much💜love

    ReplyDelete
  5. ·.
    Great collection of beautiful flowers. The explosion of spring has already arrived.

    Greetings from Spain


    LaMiradaAusente · & · CristalRasgado

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yoko - the Andromeda flowers are so interesting. Each one looks like a miniature lantern!!! And when many appear together, I get the impression of a waterfall of flowers. Stunning. Thanks for bringing the beauty of nature and the park to everyone at Mosaic Monday!

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  7. Dear Yoko - The Iris japonica is such a lovely little flower with its pretty fringed petals. You already appear to have plenty of lovely spring colour but mention that very soon your exquisite Japanese blossom season will be underway. Enjoy it, but take care.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Yoko,
    I am always delighted with your wonderful photos.
    What a beautiful garden, I especially loved the space to rest in the gazebo and the photo of the bird on the flowering branch of the tree.
    Take care and be well

    ReplyDelete
  9. Seeing your early spring flowers makes me wistful. I look from one photo to the next as I follow you around the park. I'm always drawn to photos of steps, and the shadow play in the pagoda catches my attention. I like your quiet early spring landscapes. We will get our second vaccine tomorrow, but we still intend to be very careful. You take care, too.

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  10. I like the stony steps, the flowers and their names. The plant, known to me as Japonica, sounds much lovelier as Japanese Andromeda because it evokes starry nights and the entire universe resting in these buds right here on Earth!

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  11. splendid images as always dear Yoko :)

    thank you for sharing early bursting beauty of your spring each view is delightful ,i am stunned with the variety and charm of unfamiliar flowers ,the flower beaded on branches without sign of any leaf are striking indeed ,i hope that seasonal festival will be celebrated and enjoyed by all to it's fullest :)
    more blessings to your lovely world!

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  12. Hello,

    The spring flowers are beautiful. The Sakura blossoms will be lovely too. We are late bloomers in my planting zone. Your photos are beautiful! Take care, enjoy your day! I wish you a happy new week!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hermosa primavera que nos llega de nuevo amiga.
    es una maravilla la explosión de vida que tenemos alrededor.
    Preciosas fotos Yoko. Y a seguir cuidándose.
    Buen martes. Un abrazo.

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  14. Dear Yoko!
    Spring is already reigning in your country and wonderful plants are blooming. Your photos are wonderful. I am delighted with it.
    Kisses:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. So pretty with the blossoms and that latticed round window.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for taking me with you on that journey through all those beautiful flowering trees and shrubs. Such delicate colours. Spring is a wonderful time of renewal. It is still cold here in my corner of Canada, but the buds on the trees are swelling, and if we get a few nice sunny warm days, I think we will begin to see the baby green leaves appearing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for sharing such beautiful photographs.
    I particularly like the wonderful reflection in the lake.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  18. 甍の建物とお庭。始めて知りました。
    そうですよね。だんだんコロナに慣れてきて気が緩んでいました。喘息持ちであることを思い出して、
    最近は散歩以外は出来るだけ出かけないようにしています。
    今日は沢山の写真のコレクション楽しませて頂きました。丸い窓と四角い窓のgazebo は美しいです。
    ワクチンが待ち遠しい。それまでの我慢。頑張りましょう。

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a wonderful place! Your extraordinary photos and the texts that you have added leave here a good testimony of its beauties. Thanks for sare.

    ReplyDelete

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