2012.4.8

April 8 is known as hana matsuri (花まつり), literally means flower festival. It is the Buddha's birthday festival. He was born about 2500 years ago in Lumbini, India where I traveled last September.
Today I had a meeting in Asakusa (浅草) where there is a famous temple called Senso ji (浅草寺). I went there later. There were so many people there.
On this day people celebrate Buddha's birthday by having a Buddhist memorial service called kanbutsue (灌仏会), by pouring hydrangea tea on the statue of little Buddha in the small flower temple called hana mi do (花御堂), and by drinking hydrangea tea. Hydrangea tea is called amacha (甘茶), literally means sweet tea which I tasted today for the first time.
At the Sensoji temple they offered not only amacha but also handed out a stalk of a flower of Dendrobium. I felt lucky　to be there and to get them.
Then I walked to Ueno (上野) where is very famous for the cherry blossoms. There were so many people there too. It is the best day for hana mi (花見), flower viewing. In this case flower means cherry blossoms.

２月１２日（nigatsu jyuni nichi）： February 12

Second day of a three-day weekend. Weather was not fine. Still cold.
But it is warmer here than other places and kawazu zakura(河津桜), bright pink cherry blossoms are in bloom. There is a kawazu zakura　festival from Feb. 5 to March 5 around here.
Besides this, usually it is a time of ume matsuri(梅まつり), the plum tree festival.
It is nice to see beautiful flowers anytime.

二月二十四日（nigatsu nijyuyokka）： February 24

It was rather warm today. During the daytime, we did not need to wear the overcoat.
Spring is nearing. The Kawazu zakura(河津桜), Kawazu cherry blossoms are full in bloom.
Near my house there are Kawazu zakuratrees all along the railroad. It is the season of Sakura matsuri(桜祭り), cherry blossom festival here.
Some trees are full in blooms and other trees are already changed to cherry trees in leaf called hazakura (葉桜). Flowers are bright pink, and leaves are light green. At the bottom there are yellow rape blossoms called na no hana(菜の花). The contrast of the colors is beautiful. People enjoy walking the road taking pictures. Here is the one for you.
As a winter flower tsubaki (椿), camellia is famous. The kanji character of tsubaki (椿) is composed of tree (木) and spring (春).
Now is the season for ume (梅), plum. There are many Ume matsuri(梅祭り), ume flower festivals here and there until the middle of March.