Surrounded by Flowers

When making sushi, I inevitably tend to look downward, so during breaks I try to look up at the sky as much as possible, making an effort not to become hunched over.

Looking up in the park during my lunch break, I saw sunlight filtering through the leaves of a large maple tree.

The sight of its still-young leaves swaying in the sunlight evoked the arrival of spring and early summer.

Looking closely, the maple leaves were still small and fresh, and I could not help but smile at the thought: the season of fresh greenery is here!

And it is not only the fresh greenery.

Looking around, I found flowers in every color in bloom.

The dogwoods lining the streets were adorned with white blossoms, while the azaleas in the plantings were neatly arranged in red, white, and pink.

My beloved Lady Banks’ roses formed soft mounds of lemon yellow, and their gentle color warmed my heart.

Perhaps because the cherry blossoms lasted so long this year, it felt as though there was only a short interval before these flowers appeared.

When I went to Mejiro Station on an errand, I found an impressive wisteria trellis in front of the station, with wisteria blossoms hanging down from above like heavily laden clusters of grapes.

Though different from wild wisteria, this cultivated display is lovely too—like an oasis in the city.

This is the season when even dandelions blooming in the fields are beautiful.

Let us go outside and enjoy the many colorful flowers!

I have arranged some photographs I took recently below.

I hope they will be a pleasure for your eyes.

*The final two photographs were taken in the rooftop garden of the former Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro, where beautiful flowers welcomed visitors whenever they came, in every season.

I have heard that this oasis for so many people has now withered away, perhaps as a result of the department store’s sale.

The pond modeled after Monet’s Water Lilies was magnificent, and it is terribly disappointing to think that we may no longer be able to see that landscape.

I sincerely hope that the next operator will embrace a spirit of cultural patronage.