November 23, 2012

Autumn Wonderland

In Nara Park(奈良公園), maples and ginkgoes are boasting beautiful autumn colors
 in the thickening dusk. The  deer are going home.

 This year is very very special. Usually leaves of ginkgo trees turn shining  gold at first. Around the time the ginkgo trees are shedding leaves, maple leaves are  turning glorious autumn colors. So it is hard to enjoy both of them together at the best time. But this year we can enjoy both of them at the same time because coldness came earlier.

Is this a wonderful gift from a capricious Goddess of Autumn? The nature is weaving brocades from autumn foliage in myriad of colors. 

There is a Japanese expression "錦秋 Kinshuu" to depict the autumn beautifully decorated with autumn leaves. "錦‐Kin" means "Brocade" and "秋‐shuu" autumn.
In Nara Park.  A ginkgo tree looks like as if it wore crimson maple brocade!!

All photos were taken in Nara Park, Nara and in Jingo-ji Temple, Kyoto. 

In Nara Park,  children are playing with the deer after school.

Here is Jingo-ji temple(神護寺) on Mt. Takao(高雄山) in Kyoto. The mountain and the temple are well-known as popular maple viewing spots.  I did not see ginkgo trees here. I wished  there had been ginkgo trees.
These are the last staircases to the main hall of the temple. 
The maple trees are flaming and reaching their hands to the visitors!



 Nature pleases the eye as well as the palate. 
They are Tenpura of maple leaves, deep-fried maple leaves.
I bought them as a souvenir.

 A body of a car becomes a canvas! Nature is an artist.

The weather of the day when I visited was very bumpy. It rained and the sun appeared, and it rained again and the sun appeared repeatedly. 

But after rain, the shining of the leaves become even more brighter 
and their colors become more profound.

Oh, I found more ”Kinshuu-錦秋” here and there!! Let's enjoy with me!

Over the head

on the ground

In water


In an open-air restaurant  in a Japanese style

After dark


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November 12, 2012

Glory for a Short Time


 I often pass  a small river near my house. On the bank of the river,  there is a tiny park with Sakura cherry trees. I have never seen any people or children in this park.  I have had an impression the people have not payed attention to the park for a long time.


One day I saw this scenery. 
  
Autumn leaves of Sakura cherry trees are floating and flowing on the river quietly,  
basking in the late afternoon sun.

Each leave holds a shining light proudly! 



 Glorious moment for the river! I am in a right time and in a right place!
 The river and leaves are sining a song in praise of autumn.  
They are coming and coming and coming.

From time to time, the sun disappears behind clouds.

The river and fallen leaves, thank you very much. You inspired me in many ways. 
I do not drive a car. No matter where I go, I take a public transportation. So many times I have to give up going to a distant place to take photos. But you showed me  a heavenly scenery in an earthly place. You taught me "beauty is everywhere". 

Peace  and serenity in Nara Park.

I visited Tokyo with my mother to see my son last week. Mom was so happy to see him that she continued talking with him. 
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