Changing floral-scape at the ancient Fujiwara-kyo

Early autumn

Around the remains of the old Yakushi-ji Temple in the Fujiwara-kyo (694-710), 

the ancient Imperial Capital of Japan,

mass blooms of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) are seen from mid-August to late September.

The moody weather with heavy rain clouds and strong wind was a perfect setting

to remind me of the mystery

why a great scale of Fujiwara-kyo was abandoned after only sixteen years

and why the all the structures were burnt down to ashes on year later
 the capital was moved to Heijyo-kyo in the current Nara City.

The pastel mauve fairies at the waterfront.

When patches of blue sky appeared, light shimmered both on the flowers and water.

Fujiwara-kyo site is located at the laid-back countryside 

in the circle of three small hill-like mountains of Yamato province, 
Mt. Kagu, Mt. Miminashi, and Mt. Unebi.

Mt. Unebi in the west

Fujiwara-kyo must have been the total grandeur as was revealed by the recent investigation; 

“it covered an area of roughly 5 km and was surrounded by walls roughly 5 m high. 

Each of the four walls had three gates; Suzakumon, the main gate, stood at the center of the south wall. 

The Daigokuden (Emperor's Audience Hall) and other palace buildings were the first palace structures 

in Japan to have a tile roof in the Chinese style.”

Archaeological excavations was started in 1934. 

The remains of various offices as well as nearly 10,000 wooden tablets 

inscribed with Chinese characters have been discovered.

Summer

July 21

From July to mid-August, prior to the blooms of water hyacinth, Lotus flowers bloom 
around the remains of the Imperial Audience Hall. 

As the flower of Buddha’s Pure Land, they look consoling the souls 

sleeping underground which turned to the nature.

Both flowers and leaves rise up from the muddy water to the light.

In 1951 Japanese palae-botanist Dr. Oga discovered three lotus seeds during an archaeological dig.

The seeds turned out to be 2000 years old. 

Dr. Oga germinated the remaining seed to flower in 1952. 

The lotus was named after Dr. Oga and is now widespread throughout Japan. 

One of eleven species flowering at this place is Oga lotus, descendents from the ancient time.

Some hundred meters north beyond the Lotus area lies flowering meadow of yellow summer cosmos.

Mt. Miminashi in the north

Different flowers create different atmosphere.
Bright yellows and oranges look able to counter the scorching summer sun.

With a leaf of "Kudzu", or arrowroot.

The contrast of light and shadow

Mornings and evenings have gotten cooler but it's still sultry in the daytime 
with the hottest temperature about 30 degrees.
As the floral carpet changes with the changing seasons,

 the area will be covered with shades of pink of autumn cosmoses soon.

Linked to Weekend Reflections