Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Chojyu-ji

The rainy season has already begun here, and the shady ground and plantings of the gardens are softly filled with moisture. The purple star-shaped flowers of Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) are timidly showing their faces between the glossy leaves on the damp rock wall like the tender rain-fairies that are staring at this world wonderingly.

In Kita-kamakura, during this rainy season, the thick green plants and the moss-covered rocks of the old gardens become moist with rainwater, presenting particularly quiet and subtle beauty under the pale sky.

Although the leading flowers of this season are colorful hydrangeas, the small Iwatabako flowers, which seem to be hiding in the shadow of the flamboyant hydrangeas, are also indispensable for the transient and memorable sceneries of the gray rainy season.

 

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondiodes) flowers: Kita-kamakura

I never know why every flower is so extravagantly beautiful. If they were simply the plant organs for reproduction, they would not need to be so diverse and beautiful.

At times I imagine that some transcendental being, that had designed this earth's ecosystem and organisms long, long ago, created these exquisite flowers for her enjoyment like a sacred horticulturist.

The star-shaped violet flowers of the Iwatabako are blooming on the mossy rocky surfaces in the shade as if to let us know the secret arrival of the long-awaited spring in Kita-kamakura.

These small (1-2 cm in diameter) and fragile flowers symbolize the quiet and contemplative atmosphere of Kita-kamakura which may be filled with the tranquil spirituality of the old Zen temples.

They seem to bloom and fade away without any hesitation, while having nothing to do with the clamors and poisons of our earthy world.

 

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Chojyu-ji

As if to suggest that the rainy season will arrive here soon, coinciding with the spectacular blooming of the Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers, the star-shaped purple flowers of "Iwatabako" begin to appear stealthily on the shady rock-surfaces of "Kamakura-ishi" (Kamakura rock) like the quiet hermits who wish to hide from the world and the sun.

Kamakura-ishi is the green-coloured tuff typical of the Kamakura region and was commonly used for the landscape-gardening of the old Zen temples in this area.

The perennial plant called "Iwatabako" (which means the tabacco plant growing on rock) grows on wet rock surface in the shade where water always oozes out. 

The short root-stalks usually produces one or two large leaves. These leaves are 10-20 cm long, 5-10 cm wide, and have an elliptic wrinkled shape. 

The flower stalks extend 10 to 20 cm long from the leaf-axils and bear two or three purple flowers about 1.5 cm in diameter.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Kita-kamakura

 

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

The summer rainy season has just arrived here to bring abundant merciful rainwater for further fertilizing all living things which continue growing vigorously now. Plants are flourishing steadily and increasing their bright greenness as if to show an ambition to fully cover this world with their shades of green.

On the moist rock face, where moss and fern grow densely, countless lively leaves of Iwatabako spread thickly. Its star-shaped violet flowers protrude quietly one after another from beneath these shiny leaves to greet the rainy season of growth graciously.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

The flowering period of each Iwatabako flower is only three or four days.

This little pentagram flower falls without scattering and lies on the wet ground in its flowering figure like a violet shooting star which has just fallen to the earth.

In the woods where summer birds are singing merrily, the flowers of Iwatabako are timidly gazing at me from the high rock face and I feel as if that I heard their secret whispering about the beauty and mystery of our universe.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

In Kita-kamakura, the tiny violet flower of Iwatabako is a notable symbol of the summer rainy season.

Together with colorful hydrangea flowers, Iwatabako flowers let us know that summer has come around and the rainy days of June will begin soon again.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Just before the long rainy season, the moist air of June causes the violet tiny flowers of Iwa-tabako to bloom with one accord.

Like innocent flower sprites in the shady grove, these fragile pentagram flowers appear from the shadow of the thick green leaves which cling on the moss-covered rock surfaces.

They bloom earnestly to carry out their noble mission of life and then quickly fall to the ground with no regrets.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

In the shade of trees, the small violet flowers of Iwatabako are blooming inconspicuously on the moss-covered rock surface.

A thin ray of sunshine filtering through the dense branches of trees is tenderly illuminating these dainty and fragile flowers.

Iwatabako () flowers: Tokei-ji

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers:Tokei-ji

The little violet flowers of Iwa-tabako are showing up bashfully under the thick leaves on the wet rock surface.

In Kita-kamakura, these fragile star-shaped flowers bloom and vanish inconspicuously in the start of the rainy season.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Jochi-ji

The tiny violet flowers of Iwatabako had completely disappeared from view and the colorful Ajisai flowers are fading away gradually.

Soon the rainy season will be over and the subtle and enchanting colors of this moist season will vanish away from the gardens of Zen.

The long midsummer is beginning in a stealthy way.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Kencho-ji

The emerald-green leaves of Iwatabako are glistening like satin on the dark brown surface of rocks.

The violet flowers will soon begin to fall in the wind one after another like tiny shooting stars.

These glossy leaves keep growing splendidly until frosty winter comes here.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Tokei-ji

The royal purple flower of Iwatabako is one of the beautiful emblems of the rainy season in Kita-kamakura.

I feel that these tiny flowers (about 1.5 cm across) are silently whispering with each other about the heartfelt joy of blooming on the moss-covered surface of weathered rocks.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Kaizo-ji

The small star-shaped flower of Iwatabako on the surface of rocks is a bewitching messenger of early summer in Kita-kamakura.

The bluish violet of the flowers and the deep green of the thich leaves and moss harmonize with each other magically in the soft sunshine filtering through the branches of trees.

The flower-buds of Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) in Tokei-ji

The tiny flower buds of Iwatabako are emerging one after another under the leaves on the moss-covered rock surface.

The twisted figures of these downy buds makes me feel that I am witnessing the joyful birth of new born babies.