Autumn leaves in the garden of Obai-in (Engaku-ji)

The colorful autumn-leaves, which are past their prime and have begun to dry up, are continuing to scatter and fall one after another in the cutting north-wind. Before I visit this quiet garden next time, these leaves will have disappeared from view completely.

Sensing the subtle transition of the seasons, living things continue to change their lives every moment according to their cycles of birth, death and rebirth. 

The deciduous trees, which have worn thick greens, shed all their died leaves to endure the winter and secretly prepare for regrowth in the next spring.

Under the eyes of the small wooden statue of Sho-Kannon, the endless cycle of death and rebirth keeps turning silently without being known to anyone. 

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji (Obai-in)

Although it is early in the afternoon, the sun has begun to decline too soon, shedding its ashen-gray light over this small shady garden.

Outside the old wooden gate, in the bright slanting rays of the sun, the autumn leaves are glowing dazzlingly like the setting sun of the midsummer.

The cold air and stillness of winter are beginning to dominate this garden. The flaming colors of the autumn leaves are secretly sneaking up through the gate, but they cannot warm the chillness of this garden any longer.