Hydrangeas in June are pretty. Hydrangeas in November season-defy. Hydrangeas in December signify enduring beauty.
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| 2025/12/20 |
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| 2025/12/20 |
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| 2025/12/20 |
Hydrangeas in Winter 冬の紫陽花
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Hydrangeas in June are pretty. Hydrangeas in November season-defy. Hydrangeas in December signify enduring beauty.
Hydrangeas in June are pretty. Hydrangeas in November season-defy. Hydrangeas in December signify enduring beauty.
Japanese Mahonia (Mahonia Japonica) 柊南天（ヒイラギナンテン）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Japanese mahonia (Mahonia japonica) is native to Taiwan and China. It came to Japan at the end of the 17th century and now can be found across Japan. The plant produces bright flowers from autumn to winter, providing an important food source for insects including horseflies. The plant means "increasing love" and, because of the sharply toothed leaves, "intense emotions."
Japanese mahonia (Mahonia japonica) is native to Taiwan and China. It came to Japan at the end of the 17th century and now can be found across Japan. The plant produces bright flowers from autumn to winter, providing an important food source for insects including horseflies. The plant means "increasing love" and, because of the sharply toothed leaves, "intense emotions."
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| 2025/12/21 |
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| 2025/12/21 |
Popcorn Hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla Ayesha) ウズアジサイ（渦紫陽花）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
They're one of my favorite hydrangeas, popcorn hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla Ayesha). Needless to say, the hydrangea is named after the shape of its sepals, which resembles that of popcorns.
They're one of my favorite hydrangeas, popcorn hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla Ayesha). Needless to say, the hydrangea is named after the shape of its sepals, which resembles that of popcorns.
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| 2022/6/16 |
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| 2022/6/16 |
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| 2022/6/3 |
Double-Flowered White Camellia Sasanqua (Sasanqua Camellia) 八重咲きの真っ白のサザンカ（山茶花）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Camellia sasanqua is native to, and can be found across, Japan. So if you're in Tokyo at this time of year, you would see camellia sasanqua trees in many places but when it comes to the double flowered pure white ones, I guess not so often. The pink ones are the most prevalent, followed by red. I've been able to find only this tree so far with pure white blooms in my neighborhood.
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| 2025/12/18 |
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| 2025/12/17 |
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| 2024/12/26 |
Hamilton's Spindletree (Euonymus Hamiltonianus) マユミ（檀）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Some plants bring you happiness through the year and Hamilton's spindletree (Euonymus hamiltonianus) is one of them. The plant is native to East Asia and can be found across Japan. It produces tiny cream flowers from May to June and fruits in autumn. The fruits are four-lobed and green at the beginning, then turn pale pink, and crack to show seeds with red arils in autumn.
A good thing about photographing plants is to make people more talkative. When I was photographing the fruits in September, two women approached me asking what they were. I said they were the fruits of Hamilton's spindletree but the women insisted they couldn't be fruits but buds to flower soon. It was fun talking with strangers about little things.
Some plants bring you happiness through the year and Hamilton's spindletree (Euonymus hamiltonianus) is one of them. The plant is native to East Asia and can be found across Japan. It produces tiny cream flowers from May to June and fruits in autumn. The fruits are four-lobed and green at the beginning, then turn pale pink, and crack to show seeds with red arils in autumn.
A good thing about photographing plants is to make people more talkative. When I was photographing the fruits in September, two women approached me asking what they were. I said they were the fruits of Hamilton's spindletree but the women insisted they couldn't be fruits but buds to flower soon. It was fun talking with strangers about little things.
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| 2025/5/9 |
Japanese Viburnum (Viburnum Japonicum) ハクサンボク（白山木）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The Japanese viburnum (Viburnum japonicum) is native to China, Korea, and Japan. The plant produces flowers usually in April but I saw its flowers for the first time in mid-December. Viburnum japonicum resembles Viburnum dilatatum but the former's leaves are glossy as opposed to the latter's matt leaves. The Japanese viburnum is supposed to fruit in autumn with leaves turning red in winter but this tree still has glossy deep green leaves with flowers that bloom eight months later than usual.
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| 2025/12/15 |
Weigela Coraeensis 箱根空木（ハコネウツギ）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Weigela coraeensis is native to, and can be found across, Japan. The plant produces flowers from May to July. The flowers change from white to pale pink, then to reddish purple, which is why the weigela means "fickleness" in the Japanese floriography.
Weigela coraeensis is native to, and can be found across, Japan. The plant produces flowers from May to July. The flowers change from white to pale pink, then to reddish purple, which is why the weigela means "fickleness" in the Japanese floriography.
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| 2024/5/5 |
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| 2021/5/21 |
Japanese Snowball Bush (Viburnum Plicatum Var. Plicatum F. Plicatum) オオデマリ（大手毬）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The Japanese snowball bush (Viburnum plicatum var. plicatum f. plicatum) is native to, and can be found across, Japan. The bush generally produces flowers from April to June, which are green and like broccoli when in bud and then turn snow white when open.
The Japanese snowball bush (Viburnum plicatum var. plicatum f. plicatum) is native to, and can be found across, Japan. The bush generally produces flowers from April to June, which are green and like broccoli when in bud and then turn snow white when open.
Its flowers resemble Annabelle hydrangeas, so they can be easily mistaken for each other though there are several differences between the two. The Japanese snowball bush flowers earlier and is generally taller than hydrangeas. Its leaves have more visible veins, turning red in autumn (6th and 7th photos).
In spring, you may be able to enjoy the Japanese snowball bush blooms and cherry blossoms at the same time if you're lucky (2nd photo).
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| 2023/4/21 |
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| 2023/4/21 |
Pink Camellia Sasanqua (Sasanqua Camellia) ピンクの山茶花（サザンカ）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The sasanqua camellia is native to, and can be found across, Japan. It produces flowers from October to December (as opposed to the camellia japonica, which flowers from February to April). The color varies from white to pink and red and so does the layering, single to multi-flowered, and the combination of the pink color and the multi-layering like in these photos makes the blooms look so gorgeous.
The blooms of sasanqua camellia and those of the Japanese camellia resemble each other but they're different in several ways, one of which is how a flower dies. A sasanqua flower dies with petals falling off one by one while a Japanese camellia flower falls off in its entirety.
The sasanqua camellia is native to, and can be found across, Japan. It produces flowers from October to December (as opposed to the camellia japonica, which flowers from February to April). The color varies from white to pink and red and so does the layering, single to multi-flowered, and the combination of the pink color and the multi-layering like in these photos makes the blooms look so gorgeous.
The blooms of sasanqua camellia and those of the Japanese camellia resemble each other but they're different in several ways, one of which is how a flower dies. A sasanqua flower dies with petals falling off one by one while a Japanese camellia flower falls off in its entirety.
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| 2024/12/20 |
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| 2024/12/20 |
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| 2025/12/12 |
Is That An Aikido Rule? 合気道のルール？
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
I've been learning aikido for the last 18 months. Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art and very similar to judo because both derive from jujutsu, another Japanese martial art. But there's a clear difference between aikido and judo. Judo is for combating while aikido is for self-defense.
I saw a man like in the drawing below on a Saturday morning at the entrance of the dojo (a place to practice Japanese martial arts) where I practice aikido when I was leaving after early morning class.
He's a college student and, as in the drawing, was wearing a dogi, i.e., an Aikido uniform (almost the same as the one for judo), with a black jacket on it. On entering the dojo, he was stopped by the teacher of the class. The teacher asked what he was wearing. He quickly answered "a jacket because it's cold." That day, the temperature dropped to nearly zero. The teacher however asked again "I said what you're wearing." This time, he said a little nervously "a dogi and a jacket. A dogi is embarrassing to wear in public, so I put on a jacket." The teacher quietly but firmly said as follows: "You may wear a dogi. You may wear a jacket. But you may not wear a dogi and a jacket at the same time." The college boy was lost for words. The dojo fell dead silent. Then, everyone burst into laughter including the teacher. Of course, the college boy was pranked. I left the dojo, finding another boy coming, who was wearing a dogi and a black jacket.
Fatsia Japonica (Glossy-Leaf Paper Plant) 八つ手（ヤツデ）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The paper plant (Fatsia japonica) is native to, and can be found across, Japan. The plant is called "yatsude" in Japanese, which translates into "eight hands." Despite such a Japanese name, however, the paper plant generally has not eight but NINE lobes (ha-ha). The reason for the confusion is that term eight (8) used to mean many in Japan. Part of the English name "fatsi" also comes from "hachi," which means "eight." The paper plant has another Japanese name "tengu's fan." Tengu is a type of legendary creature in Japanese folklore and is considered a mischievous supernatural being.
The paper plant (Fatsia japonica) is native to, and can be found across, Japan. The plant is called "yatsude" in Japanese, which translates into "eight hands." Despite such a Japanese name, however, the paper plant generally has not eight but NINE lobes (ha-ha). The reason for the confusion is that term eight (8) used to mean many in Japan. Part of the English name "fatsi" also comes from "hachi," which means "eight." The paper plant has another Japanese name "tengu's fan." Tengu is a type of legendary creature in Japanese folklore and is considered a mischievous supernatural being.
Paper plants produce flowers from October to December after many plants' flowering season, which is why bees and horse flies are often seen hovering over the flowers in these months.
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| 2025/12/8 |
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| 2025/12/8 |
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| 2025/12/8 |
Autumn Leaves 紅葉
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The best season for autumn leaves in Tokyo is from late November to early December. Red and yellow leaves are beautiful but the mixture of green, yellow, orange, and red leaves against the blue sky creates stunning views, doesn't it? Many go to famous (and sometimes distant and busy) places to see fall leaves but you can enjoy autumn foliage here and there in Central Tokyo without being disturbed by crowds.
The best season for autumn leaves in Tokyo is from late November to early December. Red and yellow leaves are beautiful but the mixture of green, yellow, orange, and red leaves against the blue sky creates stunning views, doesn't it? Many go to famous (and sometimes distant and busy) places to see fall leaves but you can enjoy autumn foliage here and there in Central Tokyo without being disturbed by crowds.
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| 2025/11/24 |
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| 2025/12/5 |
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| 2025/11/24 |
Lespedeza (Bush Clovers) 萩（ハギ）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
Bush clovers are native to East Asia and can be found across Japan, flowering generally from July to September. The term "bush clover" is a kigo, i.e., a seasonal word or phrase associated with a particular season used in traditional forms of Japanese poetry, for autumn, but Lespedeza actually flowers from early summer to autumn (although I found one tree flowering in December in the first three photos).
Bush clovers are native to East Asia and can be found across Japan, flowering generally from July to September. The term "bush clover" is a kigo, i.e., a seasonal word or phrase associated with a particular season used in traditional forms of Japanese poetry, for autumn, but Lespedeza actually flowers from early summer to autumn (although I found one tree flowering in December in the first three photos).
Bush clovers are known to produce pink flowers but they also have white flowers (Lespedeza buergeri) and some (Lespedeza japonica bailey cv. versicolor) produce pink and white flowers on the same tree.
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| 2025/12/3 |
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| 2025/12/3 |
Japanese Cornel (Cornus Officinalis) サンシュユ（山茱萸）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) is native to China, Korea, and Japan and can be found across Japan. The tree produces umbels of bright yellow flowers from March to April and berries that get redder from October to November.
The Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) is native to China, Korea, and Japan and can be found across Japan. The tree produces umbels of bright yellow flowers from March to April and berries that get redder from October to November.
The bright yellow of Japanese cornel flowers is called a "vitamin color" in Japan because it's said to energize people, which I believe is true. In spring, many stop in front of the trees to look at their pretty flowers talking about the joy of spring but surprisingly and sadly, most don't know the Japanese cornel. The Japanese cornel is one of the most underestimated trees because of their blossoming at almost the same time as cherry and Japanese apricot trees.
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| 2025/3/20 |
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| 2025/3/9 |
Single-Flowered White Sasanqua Camellia 一重の白い山茶花
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The sasanqua camellia is native to, and can be found across, Japan. It produces flowers from October to December (as opposed to the camellia japonica, which flowers from February to April). The color varies from white to pink and red and so does the layering, single to multi-flowered. The blooms in this post are single-flowered white (pink-edged) and you would relatively easily run into such blooms in Tokyo in not a few places. Single flowered camellia sasanquas may be less gorgeous but are as beautiful as the double flowered ones.
The sasanqua camellia is native to, and can be found across, Japan. It produces flowers from October to December (as opposed to the camellia japonica, which flowers from February to April). The color varies from white to pink and red and so does the layering, single to multi-flowered. The blooms in this post are single-flowered white (pink-edged) and you would relatively easily run into such blooms in Tokyo in not a few places. Single flowered camellia sasanquas may be less gorgeous but are as beautiful as the double flowered ones.
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| 2025/12/1 |
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| 2025/12/1 |
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| 2025/12/1 |
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| 2025/11/8 |
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| 2024/11/9 |
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| 2024/11/9 |
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| 2024/11/9 |
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| 2023/12/17 |
(If you wish to post your comment but don't have a Google account, select "anonymous" from the drop down menu titled "comment as"!)
山茶花は日本原産。秋から冬になるとあちこちで見られます。白、ピンク、赤の花が一重や八重で咲き、色も形も様々です。この記事の山茶花は一重咲きで、八重咲きと比べると地味目ですが、深い緑の中に浮かび上がる白には幽玄の美しさを感じます。
(Google アカウントを持ってない方は、コメント記入後に「Google アカウント」をクリックし、「匿名」か「名前/URL」を選択してからご記入ください！)
Burning Bush (Euonymus Alatus) ニシキギ（錦木）
英語の後に日本語が続きます。
The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is native to China, Korea, and Japan and can be found across Japan. The burning bush autumn leaves are very beautiful but because the bush grows to only 1 to 1.5 meter high, the beauty is often disregarded among maple and other taller trees. But the beauty of the burning bush is not just it. If you are closer to it, you can find small red arils with one to four vivid orange seeds inside.
The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is native to China, Korea, and Japan and can be found across Japan. The burning bush autumn leaves are very beautiful but because the bush grows to only 1 to 1.5 meter high, the beauty is often disregarded among maple and other taller trees. But the beauty of the burning bush is not just it. If you are closer to it, you can find small red arils with one to four vivid orange seeds inside.
As the plant's name suggests, its leaves look "burning." The burning bush is named "nishiki gi" in Japanese, which translates into "brocade tree," after such a beautiful red color of the leaves like brocade.
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| 2024/11/22 |
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| 2024/12/12 |
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| 2025/11/30 |
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Hydrangeas in Winter 冬の紫陽花
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