When it comes to autumn, the flowers called cluster amaryllis are in bloom suddenly. In Japan this year, this flower started to bloom at the end of September. Compared to usual years, it was delayed. That's because this summer was super hot. Maybe it is influenced by global warming.
We call this flower “曼殊沙華/Manjyusyage” in Japanese. This word is from Buddhism. And this word is also pronounced Manjyusaka too. The meaning of this word is the flower blooming in heaven.
And this word is often used in Haiku. For example this Haiku, I want to introduce you.
西国の畔曼殊沙華曼殊沙華 （森澄雄）
A very famous poet called Mori Sumio wrote this Haiku. The meaning of this Haiku is this. 西国/Saigoku means the west region of Japan. I mean, the region is more western than Kyoto. 畔/Aze means the besides of rice fields. This poet wanted to describe the landscape where many cluster amaryllis are blooming beside rice fields in the western Japan. When he sang this Haiku, he must have been traveling in the region.
I don’t know why cluster amaryllis bloom a lot beside rice fields in Japan. Or, we often see the landscape where this flower is blooming beside rivers. And, as you call it “cluster”, this flower is necessarily in bloom as a cluster. It’s interesting.
There are also yellow flowers in this plant. In my garden, yellow cluster amaryllis is in bloom now.
Here in Japan, many foregin tourists are coming now. This lady came from France, I guess. The reason why I noticed she is a French is that she was speaking French. I shot this picture in Nara. In Nara, thousnds of deers are living within town. Because they are dedicated to special animals, they are not catched and eat! This lady was talking to this deer something. I was not sure what she was saying though. Maybe she is a kind person. She may raising deers in France...
Updated: Mar 5, 2024
In Japan we have the period called “Obon” in this season. The Obon period is deeply related to Buddhism. It’s said that dead ancestors come back to this world in this Obon period.
We definitely visit our cemeteries in the Obon period. And we sweep tombs and pray for ancestors there. This has been a traditional practice since ancient times.
Additionally, we have the folk dance festivals called “Bon-odori” in this term. “Bon-odori” festival is the most popular dance festival in Japan. Because the pandemic is over, we have so many “Bon-odori” festivals everywhere in Japan this year.
This season is the period when it’s hottest in Japan. The highest temperature arrives at the highest level a year. And the sky is colored deep blue.