2011年9月19日月曜日

Higan-Bana (cluster amaryllis)

Before arrival of another typhoon my husband and I went to see cluster amaryllises which can be seen around a temple known as Buturyu-ji (佛隆寺), which is located at south east from my residence.


I took my dog.It was about 90minutes drive, and then many cluster amaryllises loomed into view.
They seem to be countless.

 
 
Many hikers and photographers were climbing the staircases slowly, and the scarlet flowers were almost in full boom on both side of the staircase which consists of about 200 stairsteps.





The flowers have multiple names, Manjyu-shage or Manjyu-shaka(曼珠沙華), and Higan-bana(彼岸花), and as English name, cluster amaryllis and spider lily, and its scientific name is Lycoris radiata.







Among the names I'm familiar with is the name, Higan-bana, not only because they bloom around Higan(equinox)  in autumn, but also they look like they are blooming on the border of this world and another world ; Higan means "another world ".




This seasonal flower reminds me of this tanka poem by Sumi Konnno.

夏ゆけばいつさい棄てよ忘れよといきなり花になる曼珠沙華  今野 寿美(1952~)


They are fierce red Manjyu-shage

out of the blue

as if they say summer's gone

for setting aside and forgetting

without any restraint


However, I cannot figure out exactly what she suggests through this expression.

I understand well the fact that the flowers come out without leaves and it makes us feel abruptness, but she tells us that we should forget...what events in summer or any hot flavor, or love to pine after someone...?

To tell the truth I like this tanka without any specific reason.


On my way to go back I realised that  it's  in the middle of harvest season.
Autumn equinox waits just around the corner.

11 件のコメント:

ruma さんのコメント...

The color of Higan-bana reminds me of the autumn arrival.
The temple includes the emotion of the ancient city enough.

The scene of Tanada attracts me.

It is the lovely moment.

Thank you.
ruma

stardust さんのコメント...

I had a visit to Butsuryu-ji Temple with blooming cluster amaryllis when I paid a visit to our ancestors’ grave a couple of years ago. I’ve remembered the sensation when I saw that scenery. Thank you for the reminder, haricot. You are so lucky to be able to take pictures of the stairs without other people when the flowers are in full bloom. Photos are marvelous and stairs look nice with not only flowers but also shadows on them. Have a nice week.

Celeste さんのコメント...

Salut Haricot,
elles sont tout simplement DIVINES......monter 200 marches pour avoir une telle vue je le ferai aussi.
Merci de nous montrer de si belles fleurs.
Bonne semaine.Celeste

☆sapphire さんのコメント...

What a beautiful temple! I have never been there. Higanbana are so beautiful. What station is the most convenient? If I have a chance, I would love to visit it!!

I've heard from Marc who kindly sent me the link that Nara and Wakayama prefectures, including their World Heritage Sites, have had the tremendous damage caused by Typhoon 12. I'm so sorry for it. According to the today's news, 47 people killed, 56 people missing, 450,000 people evacuated. As Kanto people, including me, have had little information about it, I'd like to know about the situation there. I'm very worried about it. Another typhoon is approacing. Please take care, haricot.

Jen さんのコメント...

I am saddened by the approach of another typhoon, but gladdened by the beautiful pictures. What a special place! I love the contrast of the bright red flowers next to the grey stone steps. And the tanka is indeed mysterious but wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

Jenny Woolf さんのコメント...

When I went to the big flower show in Hampton Court Palace last Spring, these big amaryllis were all the rage, but the only colours were white and blue. I didn't know that you there are also red ones.

sarah さんのコメント...

I haven't gone Buturyuuji. But a long stair with red borders looks so pretty,peaceful. Your dog at the stairs,too. Harvest of rice have already started ?Autumn has alredy come before I notice.

haricot さんのコメント...

ruma

Thank you very much for your kind comment. Your region has often tyhoon, too. Please take care of yourself.

stardust

I visited the temple for the first time. I'd like to go there again when the big cherry trees will have their flowers.

Celeste

Beaucoup de fleurs rouges,higan-bana,creatent l'atmosphere special.
Et ca ne faisait pas difficile de monter 200 marches.
Merci pour votre commentaire.

sapphire
台風12号の豪雨で、深層崩壊による傾れが起こり、川も堰き止め湖になった箇所があって、次の被害が懸念されていました。昨夜からの雨は豪雨ではありませんが、避難された方は多いと思われます。
お気遣いありがとうございます。

佛隆寺へは
近鉄大阪線榛原下車ー>バス(曽爾村役場前行き)高井下車ー>徒歩30~40分です。

cosmos さんのコメント...

仏隆寺の桜も有名ですね。私はそこに行くときは室生寺から歩いていきますが、その間の山歩きもとても楽しいものです。ただ花の時期にうまく合わせられた事がないのが残念ですが。

彼岸花はとてもインパクトの強い花ですね。名前といい、はなの色、形といい、その短歌には共感するものがあります。
光と優しさに包まれた柔らかく繊細な写真が雰囲気をよくとらえていて、とても素敵です。

haricot さんのコメント...

Jen
Thank you for visiting and having left your comment in spite of your difficult time.
Today the typhoon has arrived near my area and seems to be passed away soon. In some regions rainfall would affect the landslide and flood again though...

Jenny
Thank you for your interesting comment about the difference between these colours of the species. I've seen yellowish white and pure white ones here.

haricot さんのコメント...

sarah

To do harvest before arrival of typhoon is important, I think.
I saw many ears of rice fell down by the previous one.
I'd like to go onto the temple ground next time.
Thank you for your comment.

cosmos
室生寺からはかなりの距離でしょうね。
さすが、、、!桜の時期にも行ってみたいと思わせる素朴な環境の素晴らしいお寺でした。

Thank you for your comment, cosmos.