Here is a young 蝋梅=robai, chimonanthus praecox tree Mei-Shun brought from her mother’s garden. It took three years to be ready to bloom perhaps, like Momo-chan did. The former her late father loved, while the latter mother does missing her own mother. Since the cymbidium Ms. Yellow Card pods bring no shade of flower this winter, it would be your turn, 金ちゃん or Mr. Gold, named right now.
Thank you so much, Aunt K. She is the best cook, wife of Mei-Shun’s eldest uncle of father’s side. Still getting along with her sister-in-law, this aunty kindly sends handmade foods including following delicacy to MS’s mother every year. “But they are in the biggest bottles so far”, she emailed to her younger daughter. “Prepare the strongest bag to take one home”.
Yes, she did.
Above are not names of an European city or an American gentleman, yet 7 autumnal wild flowers you can enjoy in our country. They are 萩=hagi, 桔梗=kikyo, 葛=kuzu, 藤袴=fuji-hakama, 女郎花=ominaeshi, 尾花=obana and 撫子=nadeshiko found some on following kimono made of 紗=sha, a gift from Master Mei-Shu when her last student won 名取 a decade ago.
Among many kinds of cicadas singing around Shin and Mei-Shun’s home, a new face made a debut this summer. They are called クマゼミ=kuma-semi, meaning bear cicada, found mainly in western part of our country. Since her late father was from Kyushu where above ones are normally heard, their songs reminds her of childhood. Do you have any reason for reaching her current residence?
She stares another breed.
So a month full of Shin’s business trip abroad started. Since most of us have obon summer vacation, it is not efficient to stay in our country, he says. His first destination is Germany, landed yesterday noon. A short trip to Italy is included, that forced him to carry two suitcases. After working there for a week, he once comes home to see Mei-Shun and Mikan-chan before turning to Asian countries.
Thank you so much, Shin, for bringing home one of your wife’s favorite foods — Mei-Shun really loves honey. These are from wisteria, so rare in quantity that cannot be drawn into the market. It reminds them of Dreamer, black-brown beauty who passed away in the end of April. Wild wisteria bloomed very well this spring, as if fringed her road to the heaven.
… has passed since Mei-Shun’s father passed away. Yesterday was the date he gave his beloved ones farewell, when his younger daughter visited her mother living alone. The latter would stay at a lodge in 草津 surrounded by lovely コアジサイ=ko-ajisai, hydrangea hirta from Friday, her older daughter’s birthday. So you, representative beauty of rainy season, will be left home not alone but together.
Yes, it was from Master Bando whose husband passed away last year, on the date of 邦楽発表会. Mei-Shun now plans to visit her home soon for a chat and kimono cleaning. By the way, Shin advised his wife that “Japanese dance” might sound vague to foreign people. His idea is to name it after the origin: it would be more understandable if called “kabuki dance”.
飛鳥寺 accommodates the first large Buddha statue in our country. Shin admires that beautiful entity, saying it resembles Mr. O, the first boss of his wife. To her interest, neither of them has taken any photos of their favorite artworks. One of the reasons for such an attitude might be that both of 六臂如意輪観世音菩薩 and 飛鳥大仏 are kind enough to wait for their annual visit.
Mysterious delicacy only available at 飛鳥寺
Mei-Shun visited her mother’s home today. She prepared ohagi, rice ball coated with anko, sweetened red bean paste since her younger daughter missed the latest お彼岸=o-higan, 7 days before and after vernal/autumnal equinox. Hi dad, shall we enjoy this handmade delicacy together? 染井吉野 Cherry blossom is still kept beautiful around here, like ones Shin watched at night with his wife the other day.
meishunkikunoe 