It seems that this year, the blooming of wisteria is two weeks earlier everywhere. The same goes for Yamafuji, which can often be seen in the mountainous areas of Kyushu and Shikoku, but usually it is in full bloom around the holidays in May, but this year it seems to be in full bloom early. The wisteria seen at famous wisteria spots across the country is mostly cultivated wisteria, but the wild wisteria native to Japan can only be found in remote areas. The photo was taken during a pilgrimage to the Shikoku 88 Temples about five or six years ago during the Golden Week in May, and it was blooming abundantly, covering the surrounding trees like a wisteria waterfall. Cultivated wisteria is well-maintained everywhere and elegant, but wild wisteria has the ruggedness of a wild warrior. Its fragrance is so intense that it surpasses that of cultivated wisteria, but its unique sweet scent softens its intensity, almost rivaling the fragrance of roses. Humans have had a relationship with wisteria since the Jomon period, and its vines have been widely used, from buildings to furniture, furnishings, and clothing.

今年はフジの開花がどことも2週間は早いそうです。ヤマフジとて同じで、九州、四国当たりの山間部に多く見られるフジですが、いつもなら５月の連休当たりに満開になるのが、今年は早くから満開だそうです。各地のフジの名所で見られるフジは大概ノダフジですが、日本古来のヤマフジは人里離れた所にしか見られません。写真は5、6年前の５月の連休に、四国八十八か所巡りをした時に撮ったものですが、辺りの木々を覆い尽くす様に咲いていました。まるでフジの瀑布といった光景です。ノダフジはどことも手入れが行き届き、優雅で上品ですが、ヤマフジは野武士の様な逞しさを持っています。香りはノダフジを上回るほど強烈ですが、独特の甘い香りがその強烈さを和らげて、バラの香りを凌ぐ程です。人とは縄文時代からの関わりで、蔓は建物から家具、調度品、衣服に至るまで広く利用されました。