Which is Which?

Spring in Japan is quite beautiful with all the pink and white flowering trees. Usually it is a time to hold hanami parties under the trees, as the petals float down from the branches.  This year we've been told to wait until next year to gather for hanami parties, but we can still enjoy the sight of the flowers. 

Many of my friends can tell me which trees are cherry, peach, or plum.  I think they are all pretty, but I have to admit, I don't know which is which. I found some information online to help distinguish, but I may still confuse them.  

Cherry - March to April (May in Hokkaido). There are many types and much variety. The colors range from pale pink (most common) to dark pink.  The petals are nearly heart-shaped and the flowers have long stems.

Peach - late March to mid April in Japan, colors range from white to bright pink.  The flowers grow in clusters along the tree's shorter branches and consist of five petals which taper to sharp points.

Plum - January to March in Japan, colors range from white and pale pink to deep pink. The flowers grow directly off the branch (no stem) and have five rounded petals.

Are you enjoying any flowering trees where you live?

Monday Morning Star Count - Weeks 47 and 48 and Free Photo Classes

First - Check out the free Nikon Online Photo Classes in the month of April - Here.

Year Three of the temperature quilt  

Week 47 

March 15 - 21 

50, 54, 54, 64, 72, 66, 68

Year Three of the temperature quilt  

Week 48 

March 22 - 28 

79, 59, 54, 59, 68, 72, 73

I am reporting the high temperature each day.  My Year Three temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme remains the same: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black  

You can see my finished Year One Quilt here.

Kanpuzan Ryuge-ji

I noticed this sign at the bus stops as I passed them starting mid-week. I could read Coronavirus, so I took a photo of the sign to study it and see what it said. I think it says because of the Coronavirus, the Saturday schedule will be the Sunday/Holiday schedule starting April 4th.  In my neighborhood that means there will be one bus an hour on Saturdays instead of the normal two an hour. That doesn't affect me or my Saturday travels.  

Yesterday, I walked to a temple near my work place and near where I used to live.  I visited several years ago, but needed to get out for a walk anyway so this was a good place to visit a second time. The Main Gate is flanked by the Evil-Averting Gate and the Fortune Gate.

The entry fee is 300 yen, same as when I first visited.  The signage is all in Japanese, but they did give me the English version of the printed information.

This red door is the Gyokei-mon (the Imperial Visit Gate).

This is the Founders Hall, which is decorated with 220 ceiling panel paintings and enshrines St. Nichiren.

The Main Hall was built in the early Edo period and is characterized by its peaked thatched roof that resembles Mt. Fuji.

The Great Cycad is Japan's oldest and largest cycad, and registered as a National Natural Monument. The male plant has a trunk circumference of 6 meters and 58 branches and is estimated to be 1100 years old.  The female plant has a trunk circumference of 4 meters and is estimated to be 800 years old.

The Great Cactus is also registered as a National Natural Monument and is estimated to be 300 years old. It is believed to have been transplanted from the Longhua Temple in Shanghai.

Chogyu Hall is a museum that exhibits letters, original manuscripts and items belonging to Takayama Chogyu.

This is Miyuki-bashi, the bridge for the Visit by Emperor Higashiyama.

Temples and shrines always seem to have a lot of steps.

Grave of Takayama Chogyu, Meiji-period author.  His most famous work is his historical novel Takiguchi Nyudo.

I only saw one other person during my visit.  It was a nice way to spend Saturday morning.

More Virual Visits, Things To Do at Home, and #KuToo Update

Additional Virtual Visits and things to do at home 

Five US National Parks  

Zoos in Japan

10 of the Most Famous Places 

BBC Nature Program

Exercise with Richard Simmons

Free Stitch Lessons  

M's Canvas House - go to the bottom of the page 

London Embroidery School - Valentino Rose Free Online Class

High Heels after #KuToo Campaign

Japan Airlines flight attendants arrive at San Francisco International Airport on March 13.  Photo: REUTERS/Kate Munsch

After the #KuToo campaign made news, Japan Airlines has decided to allow female flight attendants to wear pants and choose their own footwear (abandoning high heels if they choose) beginning in April. It is the first major Japanese company to make this change after the #KuToo campaign began.

Friday Finish - Heart Ornament

I found this Heart piece I had stitched sometime in the past and decided to make it into an ornament. Maybe it was going to be a biscornu originally, I can't remember. In one evening I was able to stitch it to the red backing, stuff it, make and attach the red cording. Finished.

Keryuji Temple and Spring Flowers