Spring in Kyoto（6 April 2003）
In my neighbourfood From the Horikawa Blvd. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Plums and Peaches Sakura 1 Sakura 2 Cherry blossoms from the pine tree Bike Shusuitei Inside the Shusuitei Photo
| In my neighbourfood |
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It's sunny today. Il fait beau, n'est-ce pas? (I still remember French!! I am impressed with myself.) This Nijo Castle, a national treasure, is located 15 minute-walking distance from my place. It is one of the luxuries to live in Kyoto. |
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| From the Horikawa Blvd. |
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This is an extrance of the Nijo Castle. Cannot see well. Pity. |
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| Kyoto Gyoen National Garden |
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This used to be the Emperor's Palace before the Meiji Restoration 1n 1868. It was not crowded at all. |
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| Plums and Peaches |
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| In old-style Japanese poems, "hana (flower)" referred to "ume (plum trees)." "Sakura (cherry trees)" took over the position later. It was more than 1000 years ago. |
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| Sakura 1 |
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| It is the high season of Hana-mi (cherry-blossom viewing). There were some but not many. Kyoto is not known as the best palce for Hana-mi despite its image. It is the autumn that Kyoto becomes the most beautiful. |
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| Sakura 2 |
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| From a different angle. |
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| Can you imagine that cherry blossoms grow from the Pine tree!! |
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| Bike |
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| Went by bike. It is very difficult to ride a bike on a graval place. The fact is I am so bad at biking. |
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| Shusuitei |
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| Upon the Meiji restoration, not only the Emperor but most of the aristocracy moved to Tokyo. Their residence was broken down, too. This Shusuitei is only one remaining of the Kujos. |
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| Inside the Shusuitei |
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The Shusuitei is a tea-ceremony house built in 19th century, late Edo Era. The Kujos are one of the five most distinguised arstocracy families in Japan. It is a great pity that there are almost nothing left in Kyoto. However, the Japanese inheritance tax would not have allowed them to keep what their ancestors left for them even if they had stayed in Kyoto. |
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