The autumn leaves are in full bloom.  This year is especially beautiful.  November was a record-breaking heat, and the autumn colors tended to be delayed, but when the temperature reached normal levels from the end of the month, I felt that it had progressed all at once.  Daigoji Temple in Kyoto, which I stopped by for a moment , is also full of autumn colors.  It’s one of the most famous spots for autumn leaves in Kyoto, but it’s really beautiful. Though I thought I’d stopped by for a moment, before I knew it, I was staying longer.  On my leaving the place, when I was been fascinating by the autumn leaves near the mountain gate, a person who was mistaken for Santa Claus came in.  A bright red coat and a white collar.  If the person puts a white beard on a red hat, it’s a real Santa Claus. Looking closely, it was a decent older woman.  By the way, it’s already December.  She was in a wonderful dress, whether she was conscious of such the thing or matched it with the autumn leaves.

紅葉がすっかり見頃です。今年は特に美しい。11月が記録破りの暑さで、紅葉も遅れがちでしたが、気温も下旬から平年並みになると、一気に進んだ感があります。ちょっと立ち寄った京都醍醐寺も紅葉一色。京都でも一二を争う紅葉の名所ですが、さすがに美しく、ちょっと立ち寄ったつもりが、いつのまにか長居をすることになりました。帰り際、山門近くの紅葉に見惚れていると、サンタクロースと見紛う人が入って来ました。真っ赤なコートに白地の襟。赤い帽子に白髭をつければ、まさしくサンタクロースです。よく見るとそこそこのお歳の女性でした。そう言えばもう12月。そんな事を意識したのか、紅葉に合わせたのか、素敵な出立ちでした。