Yoshino in Nara Prefecture has been known for its cherry blossoms since ancient times. About 30,000 cherry blossoms trees of about 200 species grow thick all over the mountains. In spring, fleeting and pretty mountain cherry blossoms cover the entire mountains from ridge to ridge and from valley to valley for about a month. It appeared in Kojiki and Nihonshoki in the old days, and has been visited by many literary men and experts in calligraphy or ink drawing since then. In addition, many historic sites related to Shugendo, Yoshitsune Minamoto, Emperor Godaigo, Saigyo, etc. are still preserved in this area.

奈良県にある吉野山は古来桜で知られ、シロヤマザクラを中心に約200種3万本の桜が密集しています。儚げで可憐な山桜が尾根から尾根へ、谷から谷へと山全体をおよそ１か月に渡って埋め尽くしてゆきます。古くは古事記や、日本書紀などにも登場し、以来多くの文人墨客が訪ねてきました。また、辺りには修験道や源義経、後醍醐天皇、西行などにまつわる数多くの史跡が今も守り伝えられています。

The cherry blossoms that began to bloom in January early have finally begun to fall except the northern countries and mountains. The pneumonia caused by coronavirus that occurred at the same time spread the infection all over the world in an instant, and its momentum is still strong. Movement around the world has stopped and remains silent. It is a historical dark age. The cherry blossoms had bloomed wonderfully as usual, but few visitors came. The cherry blossoms are probably disappointed too. We want to pass through this flower carpet and find hope as soon as possible.

早い所では１月に咲き始めた桜も、北国や山間部を残し、散り始め、道や庭先に花絨毯になって名残りを留めています。今年は時を同じくして発生したコロナウィルスによる肺炎が瞬く内に世界中に感染を広め、その勢いはいまだに衰えません。世界中動きは止まり、沈黙したままです。歴史に残る暗黒時代です。折角咲いた桜も花見客は少なく、無念に違いありません。一刻も早くこの花絨毯を通り抜け、希望を見出だしたいものです。

There is a cherry tree, which is said to be 2000 years old, in the temple grounds of Jisso-ji Temple in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Pre. People call it “Yamataka Jindai Sakura”. It is a cherry tree that is said to have been planted during the eastern expedition by Yamato Takeru, a traditional hero in ancient Japanese history. It is 14m high, 11m around the trunk, and branches 30m in the north, south, east, and west. The trunk looks like a torn rock and It is supported by many splints and even looks painful. But it still makes youthful and wonderful flowers bloom every year, so we’re amazed by the vital force and moved. It is exactly the incarnation of Uba-Sakura, an old woman cherry. The species, however, traveled in space, so it is also the cherry blossom at the cutting edge of the times.

山梨県北杜市にある実相寺境内に樹齢2000年とも言われる桜がある。人呼んで「山高神代桜」。日本古代史上の伝統的英雄、日本武尊が東征の際に植えたと言い伝えられている桜である。高さ14m、幹周り11m、東西南北に30mに枝を張った姿は威厳に満ちている。幹は張り裂け岩の様。多くの副え木に支えられ、痛々しく見えさえするが、それでも毎年若々しい見事な花を咲かせるから、その生命力たるや恐るべし、正に姥桜の権化である。それでいて、その種は宇宙旅行をしたと言うから、時代の最先端を行く桜でもある。

Spring flowers are in full bloom at Kyuhouji Ryokuchi Park in Yao City, Osaka. California-Poppy stands out among them. The bright orange color catches the eye from a distance. The park is full of school children whose school was closed. It’s an atmosphere where men and women of all ages can’t lose to the coronavirus.

大阪八尾市にある久宝寺緑地公園には春の花が咲き乱れています。その中でも一際目立つのがカリフォルニアポピーです。色鮮やかな橙色は遠くからもひと目を引きます。そんな公園には学校が休校になった学童達が溢れています。老若男女、コロナウィルスには負けないぞ、の雰囲気です。

The Yodo River flows down from Kyoto, and meanders in Kema, the birthplace of Yosa Buson, and reaches the present Okawa River (former Yodo River). Cherry blossoms are in full bloom on both banks of the Okawa River in spring, making it one of the major attractions in Osaka. Immediately downstream, there is Nakanoshima, and rice was brought in from all over the country during the Edo period, and many rice breweries were built, which was called the “Kitchen of Japan”.

淀川は京都から流れ下って、与謝蕪村の生まれ故郷である毛馬で大きく蛇行し、現在の大川(旧淀川)に至ります。因みに、現在の淀川は、毛馬から真っ直ぐに大阪湾に流れ込みます。大川の両岸には、春には、所狭しと桜が咲き乱れ、大阪の一大名所になっています。この直ぐ下流には中之島があり、堂島川、土佐堀川に分流した周辺には、江戸時代には全国各地から米が運び込まれ、沢山の米蔵が軒を並る「天下の台所」でした。

The world is quieting down. People are sparse in Tokyo, New York, London, Paris and the big cities of the world. Human beings have no choice but to endure in the house, exposed to the norovirus attack. Neither nuclear missiles, nuclear carriers, nor F22s helps at all. Humans fight each other in trivial reasons, spending enormous money on their arms, but spending only one millionth of them on fighting Norovirus. How stupid humanity is! The true enemy of humanity is nature. At the same time, don’t forget to be a true friend too.

世界は静まり返っています。 東京、ニューヨーク、ロンドン、パリ、そして世界の大都市では、ほとんど人影はありません。ノロウイルスの総攻撃に晒され、じっと家の中で耐え忍んでいるだけです。 核ミサイルや原子力空母、最新鋭の戦闘機F22はまったく役に立ちません。人類はつまらない理由で互いに戦い、その為に莫大なお金を費やしていますが、ノロウイルスとの戦いにはたった100万分の1しか使いません。人類の真の敵は自然です。と 同時に、真の友達であることも忘れないでください。

French lavender is in bloom at the entrance of a cafe that has been renovated from an old folk house. The lovely flower ears that reminds me of a bunny girl’s ears are impressive. The flower ears are arranged in a ball shape, giving a gentle atmosphere overall. Compared to English lavender, the scent is slightly reduced, but it emits a sweet scent, and the scent of coffee flowing from the store blends well and invites me to the store naturally.

古民家を改装したカフェの入り口にフレンチラベンダーが咲いています。バニーガールの耳を想わせる愛らしい花穂が印象的です。花穂はボール状にまとまり、全体的に優しい雰囲気が漂っています。 イングリッシュラベンダーと比べると、香りはやや落ちますが、甘い香りを放ち、店先から流れてくるコーヒーの香りがうまく溶け合って、自ずとお店に誘います。

In the evening, when I drop at a nearby temple, a spectacular Yamabuki is blooming in one corner of the precincts. The bright yellow and green leaves shine in the setting sun and are more vivid. Just at the time the bells telling at six ring out in the precincts. Involuntarily, I have thanked for the safety of the day today, and put my hands together in prayer to the setting sun.

夕方、近くのお寺に立ち寄ると、境内の片隅に見事な山吹が花を咲かせています。その山吹色と葉の緑が夕陽に映えていっそう鮮やかです。折しも暮れ六つの鐘が境内に鳴り渡り、思わず、今日の無事息災に感謝して、夕陽に手を合わせました。

Cherry blossoms at the famous temple Negoro-ji Temple in Iwade City, Kishu Wakayama Pre.have begun to dance. Cherry blossoms scattered in the pond at the precincts covered the surface of the water out, and the Shouten-do (Gyoja-do) standing beside the pond is been reflecting on the surface of the water with the cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom viewers are sparse due to the influence of the coronavirus, but the scenery transitions remain unchanged this year too.

紀州和歌山県岩出市にある名刹根来寺の桜が舞い始めました。 境内の聖天池にも散った桜がいちめんに広がり、池の傍に立つ聖天堂(行者堂)が桜と共に水面に映っています。コロナウイルスの影響でお花見客は少ないですが、折節の変わる景色は今年も変わりません。

As I was walking along the path, wild strawberry flowers were blooming in the grass. I suddenly remembered that old day. I was playing hide-and-seek with my neighbors children and I was hiding in the grass. When I push my way through the grass as tall as my height, the red ripe wild strawberries were growing all over there. Unconsciously l, I picked them up and had my mouth full, but soon the sourness spread throughout my mouth. I still remember that tears were about to come out.

野道を歩いていると、草むらに野いちごの花が咲いていました。ふと思い出したのは昔のあの日。近所の子らと隠れん坊をしていて、隠れたのは草むら。背丈ほどの草むらをかき分けていると、目の前に真っ赤に熟した野イチゴの実が固まってあります。思わず二つ三つ口に頬ばると、酸っぱいのなんの。涙が出そうになったことを思い出しました。