These are tree peonies (Chinese peonies [Paeonia lactiflora]). I sometimes went to the Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden and enjoyed more than 20 types of beautiful peonies there. In Japan, however, the peonies in these pictures (Paeonia lactiflora) are completely different flowers from the peonies in the garden (Moutan peonies or Paeonia x suffruticosa), which can be seen in the following Japanese saying describing a beautiful woman:
She stands beautifully like a tree peony (Paeonia lactiflora).
She sits beautifully like a Moutan peony (Paeonia x suffruticosa).
She walks beautifully like a lily.
I want to be such a beautiful woman someday...
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| Tree peony (Chinese peony, Paeonia lactiflora) シャクヤク（芍薬） |
