Our nearest shrine, where Mei-Shun drops in during her walking workout, grows them along the entrance path. Their beautiful profiles seem like welcoming visitors, while leading souls of beloved ones to their homes on obon vacation. It starts from tomorrow on Saturday, looking convenient for most of salaried workers. We had the newest holiday Mountain Day last Thursday, so if a leave is allowed including today, they would have 6-day off.
We have 立秋=risshu, the 13th of 二十四節気 yesterday. It means autumn has come, while nobody could recognize it in the middle of summer. Still, we find it in these ripe golden ears of rice, bowing themselves into the same direction. 案山子, kakashi started their bulwark against flocks of little birds with big appetite.
昇仙峡, Shosenkyo is one of the most beautiful places Mei-Shun recommend you to visit. White, uniquely shaped rocks give wonderful contrast with clean, emerald water especially in winter followed by simmering hoto. It is a miso stew with various vegetables including pumpkin, Japanese white radish, carrot, leak, etc. while meat and hoto noodle. We found it nice in summer as well with egg plant, cucumber, tomato and okra today.
乙戸沼 Park always makes walking Mei-Shun relaxed. As water towers dance this morning, however, they reminded her of 娘道成寺, musume-dojoji. On the stage, this title accommodates a temple bell as enormous as one of these water ones. She must learn how to act the role of 花子, hanako by dancing for examination to promote toward 師範, shihan meaning a tutor of 菊ノ上流 next year. All right, she finished making a round of the pond. Now it makes Mei-Shun a little tense.
偕楽園 accommodates a lot of old, beautiful trees represented by 梅＝ume, or plum which blooms in early spring. It makes the garden so crowded that Shin and Mei-Shun never approach there, while months except for February and March find them in serenity. On the top of their recommendation list is 吐玉泉, togyoku-sen found below. Water flow from many natural springs are collected into the lowest point, put this marble rock called 寒水石 as a well curb.
It visited Mei-Shun out of the blue, coming through the window when she tried to close a shutter. Oh, do not be confused at artificial lights. There is no sun or moon among them. Mei-Shun is friendly to butterflies, with her family symbol 浮線蝶 as one of the reasons maybe. Since today is the first day of June on lunar calendar, that beautiful creature might have brought a good fortune.
乙戸沼 Park accommodates one of Mei-Shun’s favorite wild flowers called 捩花=neji-bana. They share simbiotic bacteria with some kind of lawn, she has heard. Actually, they had been found in our garden years before, made Mei-Shun very happy. However, many mower users including Shin are not interested in that lovely little orchid at all, tend to eradicate them in a minute…
Please find below Mei-Shun’s newest fan for Japanese dance. 京扇堂, Shin’s recommendation of great art for a long time, met his wife at last this Wednesday. Just a step into the shop lead them to this shining green. How beautiful you are! Could you join Mei-Shun for practice 汐汲 at home? Ah, you would if accompanied by these coats. All right, let’s say “thank you very much” together to our generous sponsor.
It has already reached Kanto area, I heard. Meow, that’s why — this season makes me particularly sleepy. It accommodates hydrangea in blue, pink and white at almost every home around here, mom told me. Well, I’m not interested in stepping into others’ territory, yet please find her collection below. Purr …
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To you, Shin. Mei-Shun does not know how to show 100% of her thankfulness and respect to him. She therefore asked garden flowers to join our party meaning:
Blue hydrangea; enduring love,
Cactus flower; ardent love, grandeur and warmth,
Clematis; beautiful mindset,
Pink rose; innocence and purity,
White rose; grace, gratitude and happiness.
meishunkikunoe 