Everything is Bathed in Green Breeze, Isui-en Garden

This is my favorite Japanese garden in Nara, Isui-en Garden.

As those glasses were made in Meiji(1868-1912) or Taisho(1912-1926) eras, they are not flat or smooth but slightly uneven. So the reflections on them look dim and distorted a little.  I love these subtle images.

The garden is a stroll-through and also borrowed landscape garden. Three mountains and the magnificent roof of Great South Gate of Todai-ji Temple are incorporated to the beauty of the garden. The reflections on the glass sliding doors above is this scenery.

May is the month when we can enjoy the most gorgeous green of young leaves. The leaves show myriad shades of green and twinkle against fresh sunlight of May. The leaves are soft, gentle and fragile. The shining  leaves are reflected on the glass sliding doors. It seems as if they are condensed and frozen inside a house.

                                          
                                              

Once Upon a Time, My Town Nara

Once upon a time  the majestic capital of Japan had been in Nara for about 70 years. In 710, the capital, called  "Heijo-kyo",  was established modeling on Changan, Tang Capital of China. At that time, Japan had periodically sent the diplomatic ships for envoys to Tang China and also had close contact with Korea. Japan learned a lot of things from China and Korea such as highly advanced culture, technology and knowledge. This  learning became the foundation of Japanese culture. That's why Nara is said to be home to Japanese culture. As Silk Road connected China and Europe, it is no wonder that  Nara has been called " The Terminal of Silk Road".

Here is  the center of the capital-Heijo Palace Site where the Imperial Palace, the Imperial government hall, other official buildings  used to stand majestically in the 8th century. But when the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto, all major buildings were dismantled,  transferred to and reassembled in the new capital, Kyoto.  As traditional Japanese buildings are constructed of wood by using the technique of dovetailing, they are easily dismantled. Gradually  this site was abandoned and forgotten. Until the site was recognized as the old palace site in 19th century, it had slept under rice paddies. Now the site is under excavation.

 But, why they moved the capital from Nara to Kyoto? It is said that the new Emperor Kanmu wanted to start the new government in the new capital as too much bloodshed took place because of power struggles in the old capital. The other reason is that the temples in Nara became so powerful that they started to interfere in political matters. Leaving the temples in Nara, the capital was moved to Kyoto. 

Many of the buildings in Nara capital had roofs covered with bluish roof tiles, massive red columns and white walls. Many people  from Asia , Middle East and even Europe(maybe) came to Nara. In the 8th century, Nara was a lively international city.  The short poem of the time described its beauty and glory.

あおによし　奈良の都は　咲く花の

にほふがごとく　今盛りなり

The capital of Nara,

is beautifully flourishing now

like fragrant flowers in full bloom

A small red dot is a flying kite.

Noble people in the 8th century were dressed in Chinese-style clothes.

This is Imperial Audience Hall  which was the center of the Heijo Palace Site.
The hall was the center of the centers.  Here the emperors reigned over Japan. The hall  was rebuilt in 2010.

This is the replica of the chair which the emperors sat down in ceremonial occasions.

This Sujaku-mon Gate was  the main entrance gate to the Imperial Palace Site.
 The gate was guarded by brave soldiers all day long. This gate was  rebuilt in 1988.

It seems that nothing valuable from the 8th century is left in the palace site. Only newly built structures are there. Why was this site designated as World Heritage Site? The answer is that the archaeological treasures lie down underground, such as roof tiles, earthenware, wooden tablets and more which vividly tell us the people's life of the time. This site is nicknamed the underground "Shoso-in" which is the Imperial treasure house in the 8th century.

The festival has been held in the palace site from April 29 to May 5 to collect donations for Tohoku, the badly affected areas.

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Reflection, Center of Ancient Japan

 A gentle sunset reflects on the rails of the ancient Imperial Audience Hall.
 Once upon a time Nara had been  the capital of Japan for a short period、from 710 to 784. Imperial Audience Hall was the center of the capital. Here the emperors reigned over Japan. The hall  was rebuilt in 2010.

The Capital was called "Heijo-kyo" whose Palace Site is designated as World Heritage Site. This place is my favorite and  especially I love viewing a sunset from here.

          

Farewell Sakura

Early sunset in Nara Park.

Sakura(cherry blossoms) season  almost comes to an end, leaving me many precious memories.  During the Sakura season, people would  take a journey to visit Sakura viewing spots one by one.  It seemed to me as if they made a Sakura pilgrimage to leave burdens of their mind at Sakura.

This is three hundred years old  weeping cherry tree in Nara, which is named "Matabe"  after a  notable Samurai warrior. This magnificent cherry tree is bending its body and reaching out for the people.  Its branches look like saving hands of one-thousand-handed Kannon Bodhisattva, Buddhist embodiment of mercy and compassion.   

Villagers planted peach trees and rape blossoms around the tree

so that it would not be lonely.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the  most popular Sakura viewing spots in Kyoto. The main hall of the temple is famous for its platform projecting over the cliff. The hall is dedicated to the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva. As the platform is surrounded by the lit-up Sakura , it seems as if it is floating  in the vast pink clouds.  But personally I prefer viewing Sakura in the natural light to lit-up ones.

 I especially love to view Sakura in early sunset. Against soft sunlight, the  petals of Sakura start to twinkle and show elegant  luster. The sunset at this time of the year is gently graceful.

The deer in Nara Park are waiting for this special time.  Once a year they eat petals of Sakura. Usually the deer eat grass, leaves or acorns which are rather hard. So soft and fragrant petals of Sakura are spring delicacy for them. The whitish pink carpets of the petals cover gently rolling hills where the deer are roaming,

The petals are on the nose. This adorable scenery  pleasures to the eye.

 

Both famous and unknown Sakura are beautiful.  No difference. People  label them. 

Nara-no-Yae-Zakura (eight-petaled Sakua) which are indigenous in Nara will be soon in full bloom. They are the last Sakura flowers to bloom in Nara. They are designated as the symbol flower of Nara city and prefecture.

Emblem of Nara city

The deer are going home and I also feel like going home.

This year for me Sakura trees look like Kannon Bodhisattva, Buddhist deity of compassion and mercy. Kannon transforms himself into 33 manifestations to save people in suffering. Maybe Sakura has been one of 33 manifestations.  Just we didn't know it.

Thank you Sakura and Farewell Sakura.!!

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Reflection, Running Man is Back In Osaka!!

This is a gigantic neon of Ezaki Glico Co along Dotonbori River lined with restaurants or theaters - the livest heart of southern Osaka City.  Ezaki Glico Co, Japanese confectionery company in Osaka , was  founded in 1922. This big neon sign has been a popular landmark of Osaka.  On March 12h, one day after the deadly catastrophe hit the northern Japan, the lights had been turned out to express the deepest condolences for the victims as well as to save energy . 

This iconic neon "Running Man" came back on April 4th with an added banner saying "We want to send a smile to everyone". Yes,we do believe that  there will be more smiling faces tomorrow!

Look at the sky. The color of the sky is changing form blue, orange, red to black with stars.

 The banner says "We want to send a smile to everyone."

 A sightseeing boat is coming.

The boat is gone.

Did you see American action film "Black Rain" starring Michael Douglas, released in 1989? This neon appeared in the film.

                                                           

Current Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves

There is an ancient anthology of poems which has been loved for over 1200 years by people in Japan. It is 万葉集 - Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves. It contains about 4500  poems  including Tanka- short poems, and was compiled around the mid-eighth century when Nara was the capital of Japan. The most unique feature about the anthology is that the chosen poems are composed by a wide variety of people, from the emperors to beggars, transcending the social status. The poems are unassuming and dynamic.

These poems are mirrors reflecting the feelings or thoughts of the people and the social conditions of the time  . The emperors and noble people mentioned love, essence of beauty of flowers or glory of the realm. The  poor farmers lamented  the misery of poverty and hunger. The frontier guards cried over  the pain of separation from their families. As the poems are freshly appealing to us , we vividly feel the emotions of ancient people.

In December 2008, one Tanka(short poem) was sent in to the poetry section of Asahi Newspaper by a self-declared homeless person, Koda( or Kuden) Koichi.  Since then he had regularly sent in his poems and  most of them were selected and appeared in the newspaper every Monday. Judging from his poems which described his everyday life, we believed he was a homeless poet. His perspective and the way he lived with dignity as a homeless person  deeply touched our hearts.

百均の「赤いきつね」と迷いつつ月曜だけ買ふ朝日新聞  公田耕一(ホームレス）

I can hardly decide whether to buy Akai Kitsune cup noodle at a 100yen shop

or to buy Asahi Newspaper. 

But  I choose to buy Asahi newspaper only if it is on Monday.　

by Koda Koichi (homeless)

Every time I read his poems, I am moved very much, and  I was especially moved by this poem. Monday is the day when the selected poems appear in  the newspaper. He wanted to read the poetry section on a brand-new newspaper.

Here is the other unique poet who has been regular member of the poetry section of Asahi Newspaper since 1996.  He is Go Hayato who has been serving a life term in prison on a murder charge in California, USA.

囚人の己が〈（ホームレス）公田〉想いつつ食むHOTMEALを　　郷隼人(アメリカ）

Even I, a prisoner,getting a hot meal,

thinking of homeless Koda. 

 by Go Hayato (America)

温かき缶コーヒーを抱きて寝て覚めれば冷えしコーヒー啜る　　公田耕一(ホームレス）

I sleep holding a warm canned coffee

and sip cool coffee upon waking. 

by Koda Koichi (homeless)

Above two poems appeared on March 30th, 2009 in Asahi Newspaper side by side.  It was the most exciting moment for the readers. This was a miraculously rare chance as every week thousands of people send in their poems to the newspaper and only 40 poems are selected.  Both of them sent their poems and both of poems were selected. It's uncertain, but it seems as Koda is responding to Go while Go is consoliong Koda. This is the only one moment the two lonely hearts crisscrossed.

 Koda appeared like a comet and disappeared suddenly in September 2009. Nobody knows who he is or what happened to him. He has remained enigmatic.

Go published the collection of his Tanka (short poems)  and essays, titled "LONESOME 隼人（Hayato)" in 2004.

The people in the disaster-stricken area have also started to compose the  poems on the earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear plant crisis.  I am sure all of them could be the poets of a Current Ten Thousand Leaves Anthology if it were compiled.  One thousand years later, future  people will read their poems and share their emotions, sorrows, passions, pains as we are now sharing love, misery, sadness and more mentioned by ancient people through the poems.  I believe these poems are more powerful than history books.

Normal life is gradually returning to Japan even though a pile of issues lie ahead of us . Tokyo Disneyland reopened with fewer lights on April 16th. Many notable Japan's musicians such as Gackt, T.M Revolution, Radwimps, AKB48 and more  are contributing to collect donation for the badly affected areas.  If you are a fan of XJapan, this news will interest you. The founder of  XJapan, Yoshiki announced to offer up his favorite crystal piano to the highest bidder for the quake relief. Yahoo Auction (sorry, it's only in Japanese) already started on April 17th beginning with 1 yen and will end on 24th April. Now the bid is soaring up to one hundred  million yen!

Yoshiki, XJapan　のクリスタルピアノ、オークションのやり直しをしているようです。60億という値段まで飛び出しましたが、いたずら入札が多かったようですね。とても残念なことです。4月27日

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Nothing Lasts Forever, Sakura・・・・

It is said there are more than 300 or even 400 different varieties of Sakura or cherry trees in Japan.  Some flowers of them have already fallen and others have just started to bloom. Petals of Sakura floating in water are admired as 花筏-flower raft. The flower rafts and a reflection of Sakura are on a pond.

While time passing, the reflection is changing and the flower rafts look different.

The flower rafts also tell us the transience of time -  nothing lasts forever. 

This is an aesthetic beauty made by the cooperation of light and Sakura.

Here is my secret place where scarcely people visit to view Sakura,

so I monopolize this view!!.