Just-planted rice paddies glisten, reflecting the clouds. Helplessly tiny seedlings sway in unison with the wind. Such is the scene of paddy fields, continuing on since the ancient Yayoi period. On Wakuden’s paddies, too, filled with pure spring water deep in the mountains of Tango Kumihama, our cooks and staff will plant rice with guests.
Just-planted rice paddies glisten, reflecting the clouds. Helplessly tiny seedlings sway in unison with the wind. Such is the scene of paddy fields, continuing on since the ancient Yayoi period. On Wakuden’s paddies, too, filled with pure spring water deep in the mountains of Tango Kumihama, our cooks and staff will plant rice with guests.
The Seasons at Wakuden
Kokuu
Kokuu＞
Kokuu, “Grain rain,” is one of the twenty-four seasons in the Japanese lunar calendar. Rain scatters flowers. Rain wets the forest. Rain pours onto the fields. Rain encourages life to grow in many forms. Now is the season when growth is visible. Still, the winter time has by no means been wasted. Something has been brewing in the seeds and roots. Growth we cannot see is difficult to notice.
Kokuu, “Grain rain,” is one of the twenty-four seasons in the Japanese lunar calendar. Rain scatters flowers. Rain wets the forest. Rain pours onto the fields. Rain encourages life to grow in many forms. Now is the season when growth is visible. Still, the winter time has by no means been wasted. Something has been brewing in the seeds and roots. Growth we cannot see is difficult to notice.
The Seasons at Wakuden
Shumbun
Shumbun＞
Shumbun is the spring equinox, when day and night are the same length. This is a time when you can physically feel the season moving. We prefer to live by the old calendar, where the year is divided into 24 small seasons. Based on the position of the sun and earth, it fits the way we feel physically. The weather for this period is expressed as “three cold days and four warm days,” perfectly describing how spring approaches subtly but surely.
Shumbun is the spring equinox, when day and night are the same length. This is a time when you can physically feel the season moving. We prefer to live by the old calendar, where the year is divided into 24 small seasons. Based on the position of the sun and earth, it fits the way we feel physically. The weather for this period is expressed as “three cold days and four warm days,” perfectly describing how spring approaches subtly but surely.
The Seasons at Wakuden
Camellia from Safflower
Camellia from Safflower＞
For the past 1270 years, the Shunie ritual has been held at Todaiji temple. Artificial camellias surround the eleven-faced kannon statue in Nigatsudo hall. The crimson, white, and yellow Japanese paper that constructs the flower is dyed at the studio of Sachio Yoshioka, a master and historian of traditional plant dyeing. The crimson is dyed using safflower, the yellow with gardenia. The monks who serve the ceremony assemble the flowers. They then cut out camellia branches from the mountain behind Todaiji and place the flowers on the branches. Just as the ritual of Shunie will always continue, so will the traditional way of bringing out the deep red color from safflower be forever passed down. Now, camellias and plums are in bloom, and then come the cherry blossoms. With the flowers comes spring.
For the past 1270 years, the Shunie ritual has been held at Todaiji temple. Artificial camellias surround the eleven-faced kannon statue in Nigatsudo hall. The crimson, white, and yellow Japanese paper that constructs the flower is dyed at the studio of Sachio Yoshioka, a master and historian of traditional plant dyeing. The crimson is dyed using safflower, the yellow with gardenia. The monks who serve the ceremony assemble the flowers. They then cut out camellia branches from the mountain behind Todaiji and place the flowers on the branches. Just as the ritual of Shunie will always continue, so will the traditional way of bringing out the deep red color from safflower be forever passed down. Now, camellias and plums are in bloom, and then come the cherry blossoms. With the flowers comes spring.
The Seasons at Wakuden
Preparation for wintering
Preparation for wintering＞
At Kodaiji Wakuden, we carefully arrange and decorate the rooms to make them inviting and comfortable. The sight of a charcoal wood fire and an iron pot heating on top will draw you in for a relaxing and comforting visit.
At Kodaiji Wakuden, we carefully arrange and decorate the rooms to make them inviting and comfortable. The sight of a charcoal wood fire and an iron pot heating on top will draw you in for a relaxing and comforting visit.
