Sunday, January 5, 2020

momijigari (紅葉狩り)


Four or five years ago I bought a tiny Japanese maple tree (momiji) at Toji Temple in Kyoto. It had a twisted trunk and just a handful of leaves. It was meant to be a bonsai. I pruned it periodically to encourage an attractive shape, but I allowed it to grow like any tree, giving it ever bigger pots.
Observing the autumn foliage of trees in Japan is called momijigari (紅葉狩り). This past autumn I decided to document the annual wardrobe change of my little momiji. Every morning from late October to late December I took a photo of it, capturing a splendid 65-day performance.

Friday, January 3, 2020

A New Year's walk (お正月の散歩)



Katsuragawa is still, as if in deep thought.  The golden fruit of the crabapple tree always looks like a celebration, champagne bubbles on bare limbs.  The empty sound of the Hankyu as it passes over the bridge; too early for passengers.  Sumi-e mountains stretch into the soft morning light.  The smoke from Matsuo Taisha rises, a blue smudge over the sleepy green hills.  The sun cuts through the clouds and briefly the brown river grass turns to gold.