When this season arrives, there is always a particular flower that captures my attention – the fragrant wintersweet, or ‘Robai’ in Japanese. Near the pond in the park, there is a vibrant red-blossomed Kan-hi-zakura (cold scarlet cherry tree), and a little further away, the Robai (wintersweet) can be found. Initially, I went to the park drawn by the beauty of the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms. However, at that moment, a delightful fragrance emanated seemingly from nowhere. Even though I tried to smell the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms, they had no discernible scent. The enticing aroma seemed to waft from beyond the bushes, so I ventured into the thicket to discover a splendid display of Robai flowers in full bloom. The enchanting fragrance became even more pronounced in the surroundings. The flowers truly resembled wax, appearing yellow and translucent, as if revealing the blue sky beyond. Since then, every year, I make it a point to visit the park to admire both the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms and the Robai. Interestingly, these two flowers bloom simultaneously during the same season. Despite being flowers with entirely different atmospheres, they resemble a married couple – like a husband in a vivid red gown and a wife exuding the lingering scent of soap after a bath.

この時期になるといつも気になる花があります。ロウバイ(蝋梅)です。公園の池のそばに真っ赤に咲く寒緋桜があって、そこから少し離れた所にそのロウバイがあります。最初は寒緋桜に気を取られて公園に行ったのですが、その時何処からともなくいい香りが漂ってきました。寒緋桜を匂っても何の香りもしません。どうも藪の向こうから匂ってくる様なので、薮を潜って行ってみると立派なロウバイが花をいっぱい咲かせていました。辺りには先ほどのいい香りがいっそう濃く漂っています。花は本当にロウの様です。黄色く透き通って、青空が見える様です。それからは毎年、寒緋桜とこのロウバイを見に行く様になりました。そう言えば、この寒緋桜とロウバイは同じ時期に同じ様に咲くのです。全く雰囲気の違う花ですが、まるで夫婦の様です。真っ赤なガウンを着た旦那と石鹸の匂いをとどめる湯上がりの奥さんの様に。