Hydrangea in Sanzenin - Ohhara, Kyoto

It was a fine days during the rainy season. I went to Ohhara Sanzenin, where I had wanted to go. Getting off the subway in Kyoto at the station of "Kokusai Kaikan", and getting on the bus for twenty minutes brings me to a quiet valley. Here is the place that is in connection with Japanese imperial court, and is famous for the beautiful Japanese garden. This day, the garden was after the shower. Though Ohhara is famous for autumnal leaves, in this season, we recommend visiting Japanese garden where the moss is fit nicely to the scene of rainy season.

[Fig. 1]

Once upon the time, in the middle age, when there are no town gas and the electricity service in Kyoto ancient capital, women from Ohhara, who takes up fagot on their head, peddled them in Kyoto. These custom is still now preserved, called as "Ohhara-me". Today's topic is Sanzenin in Ohhara, where such a story is kept.

[Fig. 2]

Here is the place where people enjoy viewing refined and beautiful Japanese garden. Sitting the red carpet, we rest for a while. Nobody say to do so, however, every visitor naturally sit on tatami mat, and have their fill of the beautiful scene without haste.

[Fig.3]

After the rain, the Japanese garden are filled with moisture absorption. The moss are very beautiful with sun shine. It gave us moist feeling. The garden has been here for 1200 years.

[Fig.4]

Around the garden, it is very quiet. We can hear the drip of water from a bamboo conduit. We can enjoy feeling artistic and comfortable sentiment with silence.

[Fig. 5]

It is very quiet. This is amitabha hall in the green moss.

[Fig. 6]

After all, the beautifulness of Sanzenin in this season is the hydrangea. Nobody feels time does not seems to pass by fast. The nature and the plastic arts become unified here. The garden will wind down your mind. Here is such a place to let you do so. (Thank you for reading!)

<紫陽花の三千院>　

梅雨の間の雨があがって、天気良し。以前から行ってみたいと思っていた、大原三千院へ行ってきました。京都の地下鉄「国際会館」からバスで20分の静かな谷合の里にあります。皇室にゆかりのある場所で、庭園の美しさでは有名です。この日は、雨上がり。紅葉の大原も有名ですが、梅雨時のこの季節、しっくりと苔の蒸した日本庭園もお勧めです。

[Fig. 1]

京都に都があって、まだ電気もガスもなかった遠い中世の話、大原の女子が薪を頭に載せて京の都で売っていたそうです。「大原女」と言って今でも保存されているようです。毎年5月に「大原女まつり」が開催されます。今日の話題はそんな大原にある三千院のお話。

[Fig. 2]

美しいしっとりとした日本庭園が眺められる場所。赤いじゅうたんに腰かけて、ゆったり。訪れる人は誰かから「そうしなさい」といわれるわけでもなく、畳の上に自然に腰をおろして、この美しい景色をゆっくり堪能します。

[Fig.3]

雨上がりの日本庭園は水をたたえ、苔が生えて非常にしっとりとした美しさがあります。1200年前からここにある庭園です。

[Fig.4]

あたりの静かな庭園です。筧のしずくの流れる音が耳に入ってきます。風流な、非常に落ち着く情感が楽しめます。

[Fig. 5]

苔の中に、静かにたたずむ、阿弥陀堂。

[Fig. 6]

なんといっても、この季節の三千院の美しさは紫陽花の花です。ここでは時間がゆっくり流れています。自然と造形美が一体化しています。疲れた心をほどいて優しい気持ちにしてくれる、そんな場所です。（ご覧いただき誠にありがとうございます。）

(H)

Tag: Hydrangea Sanzenin Ohhara Kyoto The nature and the plastic arts