What do you think this is?
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| Not only cawaii but functional! 可愛いだけでなく実用的！ |
Red Bougainvillea At December End 年末の赤いブーゲンビリア
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I wrote about bougainvillea before, but that was pink. This time I found red ones in my neighborhood.
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| Red bougainvillea 赤いブーゲンビリア |
Long Walk from Zojoji Temple to Atago Jinja Shrine😊 増上寺から愛宕神社まで散歩しました😊
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
These are 3cm tall dolls of a cow (left) and an ox (right) I bought at Zojoji temple.
I went to the temple to do "hatsumode," a long-standing Japanese tradition of visiting temples or shrines during the New Year period (generally from January 1 to 3) to pray for good luck for the new year. As almost every Japanese goes to at least one temple/shrine, these sacred places across the country are very crowded during that three-day period. So instead of paying a hatsumode visit during the period, I went to Zojoji temple before the New Year to avoid people, and found these cawaii dolls of a cow (i.e., the white one🐄) and an ox (i.e., the brown one🐂) sold by the temple to welcome the New Year or the Year of the Ox/Cow.
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| Wooden dolls of cow and ox I bought at Zojoji temple 増上寺で買った雌牛と雄牛の人形 |
Netsuke - Wind and Thunder Gods, Masks, and Blowfish🐡 根付 - 風神雷神、面、フグ🐡
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I've written many posts about netsuke. According to Britannica, netsuke is an ornamental togglelike piece, usually of carved ivory, used to attach a medicine box, pipe, or tobacco pouch to the obi (sash) of a Japanese man’s traditional dress.
I've written many posts about netsuke. According to Britannica, netsuke is an ornamental togglelike piece, usually of carved ivory, used to attach a medicine box, pipe, or tobacco pouch to the obi (sash) of a Japanese man’s traditional dress.
Because of their function, netsuke need to be very small—around 3 cm—making them miniature and delicate, like the three pieces on display below at the Tokyo National Museum.
Earthquake Clouds, Rainbow, Moon 地震雲、虹、月
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Some say that these are earthquake clouds, i.e., clouds predicting imminent earthquakes, while others are against the claim saying there is little support for it. I don't know which is true but these clouds were so beautiful that I decided to include other beautiful photos I took before of the rainbow, moon and clouds...
What's this? I took these pictures early morning a few days ago...
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| "Umai bo," small, puffed, corn snack? うまい棒？ |
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| Or nine tails of a fox? 九尾の狐？ |
Some say that these are earthquake clouds, i.e., clouds predicting imminent earthquakes, while others are against the claim saying there is little support for it. I don't know which is true but these clouds were so beautiful that I decided to include other beautiful photos I took before of the rainbow, moon and clouds...
Autumn Leaves - Red Gives Me Strength! 紅葉 - 赤ってパワフル！
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
These days I can't help but take photos of autumn leaves, especially red ones. Because I need RED😝!
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| Red stands out 赤が際立つ |
"Lemon" or "Remon"😅 檸檬の「レ」は「L」？「R」？😅
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I didn't know that lemons fruit in winter.
I didn't know that lemons fruit in winter.
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| Lemon tree レモン |
Pittosporum Tobira (Japanese Cheesewood) トベラ
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is Japanese cheesewood (Pittosporum tobira). Although these red seeds are edible, they are sticky and have no taste or smell, and aren't yummy at all. (But the flowers smell sweet while leaves smell cheese, which is why it's called Japanese cheesewood.)
The term "tobira" contained in its name is a Japanese word, meaning "door." The plant is named as such because a sprig of this (or holly) is hung on the door on the day of setsubun, i.e., February 3, together with a baked sardine head. This is a ritual for setsubun, i.e., the date before the beginning of spring on the lunisolar calendar, to expel evil spirits.
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| May 2022 |
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| With crane flies in May 2022 ガガンボと |
Claustrophobia and Claustrophilia - Camellia Sasanqua 閉所恐怖と閉所愛好 - 山茶花
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
A colleague of mine has claustrophobia. He avoids crowded elevators and trains, which is pretty difficult in Tokyo, but this ant seems to be trapped voluntarily in the center of this pink camellia sasanqua....
A colleague of mine has claustrophobia. He avoids crowded elevators and trains, which is pretty difficult in Tokyo, but this ant seems to be trapped voluntarily in the center of this pink camellia sasanqua....
Ochna Serrulata (Mickey Mouse Plant) ミッキーマウスツリー
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is Ochna serrulata or Mickey Mouse plant in a greenhouse at Koishikawa Botanical Garden. So cute isn't it!!
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| Ochna serrulata オクナ・セルラタ |
Sterculia Brevissima ステルキュリア・ブレビッシマ
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is Sterculia brevissima at Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo.
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| Sterculia brevissima ステルキュリア・ブレビッシマ |
Color! Color! Color! - Koishikawa Botanical Garden 小石川植物園 - 色、色、色！
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I went to Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo and found these color contrasts!
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| Amethyst deceiver ウラムラサキ |
"Batman" Leaves 「バットマン」紅葉
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
What do you see when you look at the photos below? I see butterflies, moths, kites and red Batman😁
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| What do you see? 何に見えますか？ |
Irefuda (The Ballot) 入れ札
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
If you still remember a book from your childhood, it helps show who you are. For me, one such book is Irefuda (The Ballot) by Kan Kikuchi (1888–1948)—a Japanese author who founded a publishing company as well as the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize, Japan's two most prestigious literary awards."
Irefuda, which literally means "a vote or ballot," is a fictional story about Kurosuke, a member of a band of outlaws led by Chuji Kunisada, a professional gambler and folk hero. Chuji was wanted for murder and on the run with his followers, including Kurosuke. Believing that fleeing as a large group would attract too much attention from the authorities, Chuji decided to dissolve the group. He wanted to take only three members with him and part ways with the rest, but he couldn't decide who to choose. Instead, he asked his followers to select the three by secret ballot.
Kurosuke was a senior member, but he had recently lost the trust of the others. Hoping that a few people would vote for him so he could be chosen, Kurosuke cast a vote for himself. However, he received only a single vote—his own. Kurosuke was deeply disappointed and ashamed of what he had done.
After Kurosuke left the group, however, something unexpected happened. Yasuke, a younger member, followed him. Yasuke said he didn't understand why Kurosuke hadn't been chosen, adding that he himself had voted for Kurosuke.
Kurosuke instinctively grabbed the hilt of his katana, but froze. He realized that to call Yasuke out on his lie, he would have to admit that he had voted for himself. Doing so would only make him feel even more embarrassed.Japanese elementary schools usually recommend certain books. I read all such books and forgot most of them, but I remember a few, one of which is Irefuda and I know why. I desperately wanted to be popular and chosen as the class president. I changed schools many times, going to four elementary schools and three junior high. I was so lonely that I was jealous of popular classmates. And I hated such myself...
Japanese elementary schools usually recommend certain books. I read all of them but forgot most, though I remember a few—one of which is Irefuda—and I know why. Back then, I desperately wanted to be popular and chosen as class president. Because my family moved a lot, I attended four different elementary schools and three junior high schools.
I was so lonely that I felt jealous of my popular classmates, and I hated myself for it. I completely understood how Kurosuke felt. That is why I still sometimes remember this story, along with the lonely version of myself from those days
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菊池寛の「入れ札」ご存じですか。子供の頃読んで非常に印象深く、今も時々思い出す話の一つです。お読みになったことのない人のためにざっとあらすじを述べますと｡｡｡
九郎助（主人公）は国定忠治の手下です。忠治は代官を殺して１１人の手下と逃げています。でも、全員で逃げると目立つので、忠治は、その内３人だけを連れ、残りの手下とは別れることを決めます。ところが忠治自身はその３人を決められず「入れ札（投票）」で決めようとするところから話は面白くなります。
選ばれる自信のない九郎助は自分に投票します。でも結局他の三人が選ばれ、九郎助は一人で逃げることになります。その時です。若手の弥助が九郎助を追ってきて言うのです。「兄さん（九郎助）が選ばれなかったことには納得できない、自分は兄さんに入れた」と。
九郎助は煮えくり返る思いです。でも弥助を責めるには自分のやったことを言わなければならない｡｡｡という話です。
「入れ札」は推薦図書の一つでした。推薦図書は全部読み、数冊を除き、後は忘れてしまったのですが、その覚えている数冊の内の一冊が「入れ札」です。理由は分かってます。転校ばかりで寂しかった私はクラスの人気者に嫉妬していたのです。そしてそんな自分が大嫌いでした。
今でも九郎助に共感した自分をはっきり覚えています。そして今も折に触れ、九郎助と、その頃いつも一人ぼっちだった自分を思い出します。
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Japanese Anemone 秋明菊（シュウメイギク）
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is Anemone hupehensis or Japanese anemone. The whiteness of this flower caught my eye.
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| Anemone hupehensis 秋明菊 |
Red, Yellow, and Pink Autumn Leaves 紅葉 - 赤、黄、ピンク
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
It's autumn. Leaves have been turning red, yellow, and even pink.
It's autumn. Leaves have been turning red, yellow, and even pink.
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| Red fall leaves 真っ赤だな♪ |
Bladder or Rice Dumpling? - Silene Vulgaris (Bladder Campion) 白玉草（シラタマソウ）
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is silene vulgaris, bladder campion or maidenstears. I've fallen in love at first glance with this little white five-petaled flower (each petal is divided into two) with a greenish balloon😊
It took more than two weeks to find out what this flower is, and that was very unusual for me because I usually let it go if I cannot identify a flower in a week, but I couldn't do that for this flower. And finally, two weeks after I had first seen this, I found the name!!
This is silene vulgaris, bladder campion or maidenstears. I've fallen in love at first glance with this little white five-petaled flower (each petal is divided into two) with a greenish balloon😊
It took more than two weeks to find out what this flower is, and that was very unusual for me because I usually let it go if I cannot identify a flower in a week, but I couldn't do that for this flower. And finally, two weeks after I had first seen this, I found the name!!
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| Silene vulgaris シラタマソウ |
Crepuscular Rays (God Rays) in Solitude 薄明光線
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
It was a chilly morning, and it had been a while since I'd last seen such beautiful God rays.
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| About 6 a.m. 朝６時くらい |
Ageratum Houstonianum (Flossflower) オオカッコウアザミ
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is ageratum houstonianum, flossflower or bluemink.
This is ageratum houstonianum, flossflower or bluemink.
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| Ageratum Houstonianum and bee アゲラタムと蜂 |
Mateo Falcone マテオ・ファルコーネ
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The books that stay in your memory reveal who you are. Mateo Falcone is one such book for me.
Mateo Falcone is a short story by Prosper Mérimée about Mateo Falcone, a respected landowner in Corsica. Mateo kills his 10-year-old son, Fortunato, because the boy acts as a 'traitor.' While Mateo was away, Fortunato first hides a fugitive seeking help in exchange for a silver coin, but later betrays his whereabouts to a soldier for a silver watch. (See this Wikipedia page for details.)
Gaillardia Pulchella (Indian Blanket) is Kamikaze Flower 天人菊（ガイラルディア）は「特攻花」
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
It took more than a month to find out what this flower is. This is Gaillardia pulchella, Indian blanket or sundance.
It took more than a month to find out what this flower is. This is Gaillardia pulchella, Indian blanket or sundance.
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| Gaillardia pulchella 天人菊 |
Chrysanthemums Are Cursed😱? 菊の呪い😱
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Chrysanthemums are special in Japan. The Imperial Seal of Japan is called the Chrysanthemum Seal and used by the Emperor of Japan and members of the Imperial Family. But for me, chrysanthemums are special in a different way, i.e., they always remind me of "The Inugami Clan" by Seishi Yokomizo (1902-1981), one of the most famous crime authors in Japan who created the private detective character Kosuke Kindaichi.
Chrysanthemums are special in Japan. The Imperial Seal of Japan is called the Chrysanthemum Seal and used by the Emperor of Japan and members of the Imperial Family. But for me, chrysanthemums are special in a different way, i.e., they always remind me of "The Inugami Clan" by Seishi Yokomizo (1902-1981), one of the most famous crime authors in Japan who created the private detective character Kosuke Kindaichi.
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| Chrysanthemum 菊 |
Leopard Plant 石蕗（ツワブキ）
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
These are Farfugium japonicum or leopard plants at Hibiya Park and in my neighborhood. Most flowers die in autumn, so finding these bright yellow flowers made me happy. |
| Farfugium japonicum 石蕗 |
Netsuke 'Daruma and Tengu' 「だるまちゃんとてんぐちゃん」
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
These are small Daruma and Tengu netsuke sculptures at the Tokyo National Museum. The Daruma netsuke was carved from ivory by Hoshu Yamagata, and the Tengu netsuke was also carved from ivory by Omu Yoshida. (For a definition of netsuke, see this post.)
These are small Daruma and Tengu netsuke sculptures at the Tokyo National Museum. The Daruma netsuke was carved from ivory by Hoshu Yamagata, and the Tengu netsuke was also carved from ivory by Omu Yoshida. (For a definition of netsuke, see this post.)
Netsuke - Halloween 根付 - ハロウィン
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is Halloween, a netsuke by Toun Shishido on display at the Tokyo National Museum.
White and Pink Camellia Sasanqua 白とピンクの山茶花
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Flowers tell us a change in season, and these white and pink Camellia sasanqua told me that autumn would soon be over...
Flowers tell us a change in season, and these white and pink Camellia sasanqua told me that autumn would soon be over...
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| White Camellia sasanqua 白い山茶花 |
Kintaro Candy is Cookie Cutter😁 金太郎飴はクッキーカッター😁？
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Do you know Kintaro or have you heard of Kintaro? Kintaro is a boy or popular figure from Japanese folklore. He was raised with animals by a mountain witch on Mount Ashigara. Look at Kintaro I drew below😁. He's so cute!
Do you know Kintaro or have you heard of Kintaro? Kintaro is a boy or popular figure from Japanese folklore. He was raised with animals by a mountain witch on Mount Ashigara. Look at Kintaro I drew below😁. He's so cute!
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| Kintaro 金太郎 |
Number of Spots Matters! - "Good" Ladybird or 28-Spotted Potato Ladybird... テントウムシ？ダマシ？
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I found this ladybird while walking around Tokyo National Museum.
I found this ladybird while walking around Tokyo National Museum.
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| How many spots does it have? 斑点はいくつ？ |
The Little Old Lady in the "Wild" Strawberry Patch 「蝦夷蛇苺（エゾヘビイチゴ）畑」の小さなおばあさん
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
What's this flower?
They are wild strawberries I found at a neighborhood park. I didn't expect to see such strawberries there because of the timing and the place. Wild strawberries fruit in winter or spring somewhere in the countryside, don't they?
These red fruits (not berries) reminded me of a Japanese picture book I read a long time ago, entitled "The Little Old Lady in the Strawberry Patch (Ichigo batake no chiisana obaasan)." The story is about a little old lady living in a strawberry patch whose work is to "color strawberries red🍓" and who got very busy one year because of earlier-than-usual flowering of strawberries. She hadn't finished the preparations for the coloring...
I don't have this book any more and had completely forgot about it until I saw these cute strawberries, but I read this heartwarming story many times and I want to read it again😉
What's this flower?
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| What's this white flower? 何の花でしょう？ |
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| Look at the fruits below the flower! 花の下に実が！ |
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| Two are ripe while two still green 赤と緑のイチゴ |
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| Cawaii! かわいいね！ |
These red fruits (not berries) reminded me of a Japanese picture book I read a long time ago, entitled "The Little Old Lady in the Strawberry Patch (Ichigo batake no chiisana obaasan)." The story is about a little old lady living in a strawberry patch whose work is to "color strawberries red🍓" and who got very busy one year because of earlier-than-usual flowering of strawberries. She hadn't finished the preparations for the coloring...
I don't have this book any more and had completely forgot about it until I saw these cute strawberries, but I read this heartwarming story many times and I want to read it again😉
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朝の散歩で見つけました。ゴーヤの花を見ていて何気に足下見たらちっちゃくのぞいてました。
「いちごばたけのちいさなおばあさん」をいう本を思い出しました。確か、苺畑にちっちゃなおばあさんが住んでいて、そのおばあさんのお仕事が苺を赤く塗ること🍓だったと思います。好きな絵本の一つで何度も何度も読みました。また読みたいです😉
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Mini Bugs Hanging, Resting and Ready to Take-Off! ちっちゃい虫さん、集合！
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I don't see flowers these days. Instead I often see berries and small bugs like these!!
All of these bugs are about 1cm long, so I would not have noticed had I walked as I usually do, but that day I got up before 5 a.m., so I had plenty of time to slowly walk to pay attention to each leaf and petal....
Walking allows me to appreciate things all around me and to restore myself in solitude... I like both and I need both....
I don't see flowers these days. Instead I often see berries and small bugs like these!!
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| Leafhanger? 落ちる？ |
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| I'm busy having breakfast... 朝ごはん中です｡｡｡ |
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| Another bug hanging on a firethorn berry... これも落ちる？ |
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| Resting on a hibiscus leaf 芙蓉の葉っぱで一休み |
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| Ready to take off! 離陸します！ |
All of these bugs are about 1cm long, so I would not have noticed had I walked as I usually do, but that day I got up before 5 a.m., so I had plenty of time to slowly walk to pay attention to each leaf and petal....
Walking allows me to appreciate things all around me and to restore myself in solitude... I like both and I need both....
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最近花を見かけることが少なくなり、代わりにいろいろな実や虫を見かけるようになりました。
上の虫たち、みんな１センチぐらいです。普段だったら気づかなかったと思うのですが、その日は５時前に起きたので周りを見ながら歩く余裕がありました。
朝の散歩には二つ意味があります。花や虫たちと出会えること、そして一人になって自分を取り戻すこと😉 両方好きです。
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Water Snowflake is "GAGA" in Japan...😆 ガガブタ😆
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is nymphoides indica or banana plant, robust marshwort, or water snowflake I saw at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden in Tokyo. Whatever it is called, I love this flower because it's hairy😄!
This is nymphoides indica or banana plant, robust marshwort, or water snowflake I saw at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden in Tokyo. Whatever it is called, I love this flower because it's hairy😄!
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| Nymphoides indica 鏡蓋 |
Sweet Autumn Clematis 仙人草（センニンソウ）
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
So white and so pretty! This is clematis terniflora or sweet autumn clematis at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden in Tokyo.
It is called "hermit plant" in Japanese because its stamens look like a hermit's beard. It is also called "(plant) horses don't eat" because of its poisonous nature. If you touch it without noticing, you will have a skin rash...
I said that before but will say it again. "Don't be fooled by appearances."😱
So white and so pretty! This is clematis terniflora or sweet autumn clematis at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden in Tokyo.
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| Clematis terniflora センニンソウ |
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| Sweet autumn clematis look so innocent, but poisonous! 仙人草 |
It is called "hermit plant" in Japanese because its stamens look like a hermit's beard. It is also called "(plant) horses don't eat" because of its poisonous nature. If you touch it without noticing, you will have a skin rash...
I said that before but will say it again. "Don't be fooled by appearances."😱
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向島百花園の仙人草（センニンソウ）です。こんなに可憐なのに全身有毒。なので別名「馬食わず」。いつも言ってますが、外見だけで判断してはいけません。うっかり触ると火傷（皮膚炎）します😱
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Calliandra 紅合歓（ベニゴウカン）
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I first thought that these were bottlebrush flowers, but they are not. They are calliandra or "powder puff plant," which well describes the appearance of the pretty red flower!
I first thought that these were bottlebrush flowers, but they are not. They are calliandra or "powder puff plant," which well describes the appearance of the pretty red flower!
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| Calliandra 紅合歓 |
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| Powder puff plant ベニゴウカン |
Tricyrtis Macropoda ヤマホトトギス（山杜鵑草）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
These are Tricyrtis macropoda and Tricyrtis formosana 'Samurai' (maybe... 😅). I saw Tricyrtis macropoda at the Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden and the latter in my neighborhood, both here in Tokyo.
These are Tricyrtis macropoda and Tricyrtis formosana 'Samurai' (maybe... 😅). I saw Tricyrtis macropoda at the Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden and the latter in my neighborhood, both here in Tokyo.
Ginkgo or Passion Flower - That's the Question イチョウの花、トケイソウの花
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
What's this? A ginkgo flower? To me, it looks like a passiflora caerulea or common passion flower...
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| It's among ginkgo leaves イチョウの葉の間に発見 |
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| The only flower.... これ一つ｡｡｡ |
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| Ginkgo tree and fruit 銀杏の実 |
I couldn't first believe my eyes. It was like a passion flower or "clock flower" in Japanese. I googled to find out what this flower was, but only found that ginkgo flowers, male or female, did not look like this at all.
Ginkgo always reminds me of a former coworker, an American very popular among women. On that day, we came back to the office from a client, finding ginkgo trees with leaves turned into beautiful golden yellow but with no nuts and therefore which didn't stink. This means that all these trees were male. When I said that, he was so amazed, so I went on to ask, "Would you be sad if you had no women around you?" I knew that he thought he was attractive, and I do not like such men.....😁
Raw ginkgo nuts stink, but are delicious once roasted and of course go well with beer, highball, wine and sake😆 Autumn has come with many seasonal foods!!
Ginkgo always reminds me of a former coworker, an American very popular among women. On that day, we came back to the office from a client, finding ginkgo trees with leaves turned into beautiful golden yellow but with no nuts and therefore which didn't stink. This means that all these trees were male. When I said that, he was so amazed, so I went on to ask, "Would you be sad if you had no women around you?" I knew that he thought he was attractive, and I do not like such men.....😁
Raw ginkgo nuts stink, but are delicious once roasted and of course go well with beer, highball, wine and sake😆 Autumn has come with many seasonal foods!!
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近所で見かけました。何の花に見えますか。私には時計草にしか見えません。でもこれはイチョウの木｡｡｡ 家でググったのですが結局分かりませんでした｡｡｡
イチョウといえば臭い｡｡｡ 昔、同僚とオフィスに戻った時のことです。会社の近くにイチョウ並木があり黄金色の花がとてもきれい。全く臭くなかったので何気に「ギンナンがないってことはこの辺の木は全部オスなんですね」と言ったらえらく感動されたので、さらに「メスがいないと寂しいでしょうね」と言ったらどぎまぎしてました。自分はイケテルという自覚が非常に強い方でした😁
秋です。食欲の秋です。ギンナンでチクッといきたいです😆
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Snake Gourd and Bottle Gourd 蛇瓜（ヘビウリ）と瓢箪
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Wow!! It's long, isn't it? This is a snake gourd I saw at Mukojima Hykkaen Garden, Tokyo.
Wow!! It's long, isn't it? This is a snake gourd I saw at Mukojima Hykkaen Garden, Tokyo.
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| Looks like a snake! 確かに蛇！ |
Prime Minister Suga is "Uncle Pancake"! 菅首相はパンケーキおじさん！
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This is a "pancake" I found on the ground😁 Oops sorry! This is a mushroom I found at Mukojima Hykkaen Garden, Tokyo.
This is a "pancake" I found on the ground😁 Oops sorry! This is a mushroom I found at Mukojima Hykkaen Garden, Tokyo.
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| A pancake with melted butter and maple syrup? バターとメープルシロップたっぷりパンケーキ？ |
Aulacophora Nigripennis on Bottle Gourd クロウリハムシとヘチマ
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I've been observing trees which I believe are bottle gourd for the last month to obtain evidence that they are really bottle gourd, not other gourds, such as cucumber, pumpkin or zucchini, and a few days ago, at last, I've got evidence, i.e., two bottle gourds hanging from one of the trees! And I also found this tiny but beautiful black and orange bug, Aulacophora nigripennis.
I can't explain why but wanted badly evidence that they were really bottle gourd, but couldn't get any proof for more than a month, just finding yellow flowers, but it was worth to wait!! The 1cm bug holding on to the yellow bud was so kawaii!! 😊
I've been observing trees which I believe are bottle gourd for the last month to obtain evidence that they are really bottle gourd, not other gourds, such as cucumber, pumpkin or zucchini, and a few days ago, at last, I've got evidence, i.e., two bottle gourds hanging from one of the trees! And I also found this tiny but beautiful black and orange bug, Aulacophora nigripennis.
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| Aulacophora nigripennis on bottle gourd bud ヘチマのつぼみとクロウリハムシ |
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| One of the bottle gourds I found 見つけたヘチマの一つ |
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| The other one 二本目 |
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| Bottle gourd flower へちまの花 |
I can't explain why but wanted badly evidence that they were really bottle gourd, but couldn't get any proof for more than a month, just finding yellow flowers, but it was worth to wait!! The 1cm bug holding on to the yellow bud was so kawaii!! 😊
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ウリ科の花は似ています。だからこの花もへちまと信じつつ、証拠をずっと探してました（つまり実がなるのを待ってました）。そして昨日やっと２本のヘチマを発見。しかもちっちゃい虫も！
クロウリハムシというそうです。害虫だそうですがしがみついている姿がカワイイ😊です。
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Inro (Medicine Case) 菊花蝶象嵌印籠
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This white case, measuring 6 cm long by 3 cm wide, is an inro (medicine case) featuring a chrysanthemum and butterfly design. Crafted in 19th-century Japan, it showcases Shibayama inlay—a lacquer art form distinguished by high-relief carved inlays made of shell, coral, tortoiseshell, and ivory.
This white case, measuring 6 cm long by 3 cm wide, is an inro (medicine case) featuring a chrysanthemum and butterfly design. Crafted in 19th-century Japan, it showcases Shibayama inlay—a lacquer art form distinguished by high-relief carved inlays made of shell, coral, tortoiseshell, and ivory.
Ofuku (Netsuke) & Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake) 阿福（根付）とオタフクソース
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This 3cm ivory netsuke sculpture is titled 'Ofuku.' Ofuku is the female version of a comical Japanese character with large cheeks and a joyful smile. She is often portrayed as a mask used in traditional Japanese theater, such as Noh, Bunraku, and Kyogen.
This 3cm ivory netsuke sculpture is titled 'Ofuku.' Ofuku is the female version of a comical Japanese character with large cheeks and a joyful smile. She is often portrayed as a mask used in traditional Japanese theater, such as Noh, Bunraku, and Kyogen.
Blue Tail of Plestiodon Japonicus (Japanese Skink) ニホントカゲの青いしっぽ
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I saw this lizard at the garden of Tokyo National Museum. I wouldn't have noticed it if it hadn't run.
This is Plestiodon japonicus or Japanese skink. It was 10 to 15 cm long and very agile, and its bright blue tail was breathtakingly beautiful!
I went to the museum to see netsuke and artefacts, so finding this beautiful living thing was an unexpected happy surprise.
I saw this lizard at the garden of Tokyo National Museum. I wouldn't have noticed it if it hadn't run.
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| Plestiodon japonicus or Japanese skink ニホントカゲ |
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| Its blue tail is so beautiful! 青いしっぽがきれい！ |
This is Plestiodon japonicus or Japanese skink. It was 10 to 15 cm long and very agile, and its bright blue tail was breathtakingly beautiful!
I went to the museum to see netsuke and artefacts, so finding this beautiful living thing was an unexpected happy surprise.
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東京国立博物館の庭園で見かけたニホントカゲ（？）です。足下を何かがさっと動いたので気づきました。青く光る尾がとてもきれい🥰 根付や工芸品を見に博物館に行ったはずが、こんなきれいなトカゲに会えるなんて、想定外のラッキーでした。
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Fruits of Japanese Camellia and Japanese Snowbell ツバキとエゴノキの実
Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I've often seen fruits recently. Do you know what they are?
They are camellia fruits, which really surprised me. I didn't know that Japanese camellia bears such pretty fruits. The next question is below. Do you know what these fruits are?
These are fruits of styrax japonica or Japanese snowbell, a pretty name, isn't it? But it's not like that in Japanese. Japanese snowbell is called "Egonoki," meaning "egui tree" or "acrid tree" after its taste. And it's actually not only acrid but also poisonous....😱 Japanese snowbell is another example of "Don't be fooled by the appearance" plants....
I've often seen fruits recently. Do you know what they are?
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| It's not an apple! リンゴじゃありません！ |
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| But look like apples from a distance... 遠くからだとリンゴ｡｡｡ |
They are camellia fruits, which really surprised me. I didn't know that Japanese camellia bears such pretty fruits. The next question is below. Do you know what these fruits are?
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| Their shape is like cherries 形はサクランボ |
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| Is autumn coming? 秋の気配？ |
"Egui" originally means only acrid, but has changed to have various meanings, such as terrible, gross, and even ewww... People change and words change, too....
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赤い実は椿の実。椿がこんなリンゴみたいな実を付けるなんて知りませんでした。
緑のちっちゃいのはエゴノキの実。名前の由来は実の味が「えぐい」からだそうです。英語では「Japanese snowbell」。英語の方が圧倒的にカワイイ！でも実の味はえぐく、有毒だそうです。人、じゃなくて植物も見かけによりません😱
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