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Monday, May 30, 2022

May is passing by with sweet, fresh breezes

May, the season of fresh balmy breezes, is going to end.
風薫る/kaze kaoru is "kigo", season words for May in haiku poem, 
literally means "wind-fragrant".
It is the sensation perceived from warmer, fresher and sweeter air of May.

At the garden of Yamato-bunnkakan Museum in my neighborhood yesterday,
"Sasayuri", Lilium japonicum, were blooming here and there in the shade of trees.
The flowers will fade in less than a week.
May is passing by with the pleasant faint fragrance of Sasayuri.

May 29

Sasayuri is called so as its leaves resemble "sasa", bamboo leaves.
The smaller lilies with pale pink petals are the indigenous species to Japan.


May has been so eventful with the ballet recital of the girl Y, the boy Y's birthday, 
family reunion and a celebratory dinner in addition to the Golden Week holiday.
Golden Week consists of four national holidays and two weekends from 
the end of April to the beginning of May. 

Happy Children's Day! (The 5th of May)

The 4th of May is Greenery Day.
At this time of year, you can't help going out into nature.
I had as many as four trips to Kyoto only in May before the coming increase 
of inbound tourists.

The first was Tenjyuan reported in the last post.
The second was to enjoy green Maples at Eikando, which is noted for
 fabulous autumn Maples dyeing the whole grounds shades of red.
The below is all maple leaves including those of Nomura maple
of which leaves are purplish red from spring to autumn.
I like to breathe in the scent of green leaves.

May 10


Eikando's main buildings are connected by corridors and stairs.
Visitors walk up and down in quite big elevation difference.


The third was to Kyutei Omuro built in 1937, where you can feel
the authentic ambience of early-Showa (1926-1945).
The 29th of April is Showa Day to think about Showa period (1926-1989).
We will learn for future by reflecting on the past.
Much of the 20th century was tough period not only to Japan but also the world.
The 21th century looks tougher.

Pine trees of the garden is reflected on the table made of 花梨 Chinese quince.
The reflection is called "niwa kagami/garden mirror".

May 24

Two days later, I was in Kyoto again.
My sister and I have celebrated each other's rite of passage including our spouses'.
To celebrate my turning into the next stage of life, my husband and I was invited 
to an established Japanese restaurant near the Sanmon Gate of Nanzen-ji.

May 26

So lovely to have dinner in a room where you can feel one with the garden.


 Kaiseki Cuisine, traditional Japanese course of wholesome meal, 
and "yudofu" boiled tofu.
One of the most famous foods of Kyoto is yudofu.


Season is changing into summer with temperatures higher than 30C,
blooms of hydrangeas, and forecasted rainy season coming in two weeks.

14 comments:

  1. Gorgeous post ! As always...
    You manage to mix information and gorgeous pictures perfectly....
    Thanks for sharing !
    Have a lovely week !
    Anna

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  2. Hello, Yoko. Kyoto is lovely. The lilies and maple and pine trees are all beautiful. Wonderful images of your family with fun times. The dinner looks great and the restaurant is a beautiful location. Beautiful images.

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  3. The scent of the lily is one of the most pleasant and sweetest. Golden Week is an amazing collection of holidays and you certainly kept busy amid all that was happening. In Canada, like the breadth of the country, we tend to spread apart such occasions. All that you described sounds as if the pandemic is fading and life is almost as it was before. What a wonderful thought!

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  4. Lilies are one of my favourite flowers - I have many growing in pots and always look forward to their arrival. The beginnings of the first green shoots on the trees feels like one of natures marvels suddenly the world is clad in green again and it even takes you by surprise at just how beautiful it is.
    The restaurant looks charming, and I am so pleased that you and your sister along with your spouses' enjoyed such a special occasion together.

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  5. Hello Yoko, You've had a busy spring with lovely landscapes to photograph. I like seeing all your activities with your family. The garden mirror - lovely. Yes, I can almost smell the green in your photos. Our breezes have been a little too "fragrant" lately - more gusty than fragrant, in fact! Stay well.

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  6. Un buen con celebraciones familiares, que gusta hacerlas. Gran paseo por tus estupendas fotos Yoko .Preciosos los arces.
    Te deseo buena semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  7. Hi Yoko,
    Delicate and beautiful lilies and a wonderful garden. Your photos are fantastic.
    Charming family mosaic to celebrate Children's Day.
    The food looks super delicious!

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  8. 日本の文化の香りあふれる5月のポストです。沢山のイベントがあって楽しそう。
    Yちゃんのバレーリサイタルではきっと可愛いダンスが見ることが出来たことと思います。
    日本古来のゆりの花はほのかな香りがしてその控えめな美しさが好きです。
    もう6月に入りました。私のライフスタイルもかなり変わりましたのでブログを含め色々と考えるこの頃です。
    ではまた。

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  9. Kyoto is very beautiful! The food looks good,

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  10. A lovely post, your photographs and collage was very enjoyable to see.

    Have a happy month of June.

    All the best Jan

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  11. Yoko - I am not sure how I missed this post. As usual, you have lovely photos. Congratulations on your "season of passage". I would also enjoy a celebration that is at one with nature ...

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  12. ·.
    I love how you narrate the things of your country. I've always liked Japan and you make me like it even more.
    The flowers are beautiful and the celebration of Children's Day that you show in those posterized photos seems great to me.

    Hugs Yoko

    LaMiradaAusente · & · CristalRasgado

    ReplyDelete

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