Spring has come 2025

 

It is one of the twenty-four seasons (Solar term) in the old calendar "Shunbun (spring division or center)" on March 21.

As for this, length of Night and Day is the same day.

It is a sign of the full-scale spring in the Far East.

Today is called "Higan", too. It is a Buddhist holiday celebrated in Japan. 　

It is the day when they give thanks to ancestors. (Anequinoctial week)

Higan means a state of the realization that escaped from worldly desires.

The cherry tree has begun to flower from the south area.

Cherry blossoms flowering map of this year.

The place of a famous cherry blossoms information and etc.

I am very sorry that there is not English version.

It is a very short interval, but let's enjoy the beauty of the cherry tree with all of you.

Japanese three major giants of cherry trees

These three of them are registered as the first natural monument of the country on October 12, 1922.

☆yamataka jinndai "God days" zakura

　(Age over 2000 years old)

　Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture

　Height of the tree 13.6m, trunk lap 10.6m.

　A giant tree of the maximum grade oldest in Japan.

☆neodani awasumi "light sumi" zakura

　(Age over 1500 years old)

　Motosu-shi, Gifu Prefecture

　Height of the tree 17.2m, trunk lap 9.1m, the spread are East-West 24m, north and south 21m

☆miharu taki "waterfall" zakura

　(Age over 1000 years old)

　miharu-town, Fukushima Prefecture

　Height of the tree 19m, trunk lap 9.5m, spread east and west 22m, north and south 17m

Girls' " Sweet " Day

 

　The set of ornamental dolls "Hina-Ningyō" stood in line.

It is a thing to celebrate Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day March 3).

In a show case, I see the cakes which seem to be delicious and delicate.

　This is the traditional decoration.

Each doll has various roles.

The season is going to come this year.

　This shop is the long-established store of Japanese sweets ( Wagashi ).

The salesclerk puts on a clean cowl.

Her traditional style treats the heart of the customer.

Welcome to the classic world...

Here is Ginza, Tokyo.

ZEN Temple Eihei-ji in Winter

 

　

　Eihei-ji Temple is one of the oldest temples belonging to the Zen Soto sect which the priest Dōgen did a founder.

　It was founded to 1244.

　These outskirts are famous by having very much snow.

　Here is Eiheijicho, Fukui Prefecture.

　The Zen priest wears only a thin shoulder-worn robe (It seems to be very cold all day life, other Zen temple's link).

　And they sit in contemplation zazen without heating with bare foot.. before the daybreak to going to bed.

　The getting up is about 3:00. The bath is about once a week.

　The meal is "ichijuu issai " (ex.). Boiled barley and rice, miso soup, a side dish, a pickle.

　It means it "One soup One vegetables". Another helping? No!

　It may be difficult a little even if anyone is going to train oneself in this temple.

　Because the ascetic practices are very severe for a body mark and mind.

　And there is this temple distantly in a remote deep mountain from the town.

　If the exerciser gets tired of ascetic practices, he needs his life and courage to escape.

　Snow is piled up more than 3 meters in winter here.

　Therefore most the application is sent away even if they propose ascetic practices.

　It is called "turning away at the door" called Japanese "Monzen barai".

　The state of the summer look at here, please.

　Zen way is so far and inclement...

　Dōgen soul is here.

Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

 

Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

The mystery of the Far East, far away from you.

Here is Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

" ZEN " Japanese calligraphy

　　　　"禪" (zen). It is translated in ZEN.

　　　　Please look at next these how about some knowledge.

 

　　　　It is something about the ZEN's priest "Dōgen".

　　　　It is something about the ZEN's prose, "Shōbōgenzō" - Japanese old literature.

　　　　It is something about the Japanese calligraphy.

Zen Buddhist monks

A Day in the Life of a Zen Monk

Simply Sit to Gain Enlightenment

" Something Most Oriental " ( 1963 lecture)

"The more you suffer, the deeper your character becomes and the more you can appreciate life."

 by Daisetsu Suzuki