Chrysanthemums

I love flowers.  

As I arrived at my Thursday school last week, I was greeted at the doorway by some of the most magnificent flowers I have ever beheld.  

These Japanese chrysanthemums stand almost shoulder height.  The diameter of the flowers is at least eight inches. 

I was delighted to find the chrysanthemums again this week had hardly atrophied at all.  Yet another reminder that I am living in a far different climate from my native lands next to Lake Superior.  Here we are in mid November and flowers are blooming all over the place. 

I miss the snow of my past winters…but when it comes time to leave these year-round flowers, I will miss them too.

春夏秋冬

Haru, natsu, aki, fuyu.  Spring, summer, autumn, winter.

In Japan, the seasons are all so distinct.  Well, what I really mean to say is that they are more equal, I guess.  Where I am from, winter monopolizes most of the year.  Spring is cool.  Summer is short.  Autumn is shorter. 

Despite its brevity, autumn is my favorite.  Of all the seasons, it appeals the most to my senses: the spiced cider, the pumpkin pie, the crisp air and bright leaves.  What’s not to love?

Experiencing autumn in Japan has been familiar…but different. The season itself lasts longer, which I love. 

The leaves are just beginning to change now and it will last at least another month.  

The temperature is perfect.  

The apples, pears, persimmons and figs are in season.

Rice is being harvested.

Winter vegetables are being planted.  

Prickly chestnuts are falling from their trees.

Apple cider.

Pumpkins.

  

Bring on the cool weather.  I am ready for こたつ (kotatsu) and onsen!

Holy typhoons, Batman!

I can’t remember how many typhoons there have been so far this year.  But it’s a lot. I think we just got hit with number fifteen the other day...sheesh.  Enough already with the crazy weather and natural disasters, Mother Nature!

We are tucked away inland here in Saitama, so there is no real need to worry.  But we do find ourselves singing the “Rain, Rain Go Away” song for about a week whenever a typhoon is in the area.  And it can get pretty windy.

The run-off system is effective, so I have yet to see any flooding.  I noticed right away when we moved here that the banks of rivers seemed ridiculously huge.  Many typhoons later, I understand the reason for such generous riverbanks.  I have seen the river behind our apartment complex widen at least twenty feet.  Crazy!

This is the normal level of the river. 

I took this photo in the exact same location as the previous photo.  You can see that the river had been even higher because of the flattened grass on the right.  Crazy, huh?

So we deal with the rain.  We hang our laundry inside.  We go about our business under the cover of umbrellas.  The sun never stays away for too long.  

Thank goodness.

flowers

One of the things I love about living in Japan is just how drastically different it is from northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Living here has been a fantastic learning experience.

There are so many things that are different.  One of the most evident is the difference in seasons.  Japan has four completely distinct seasons: a blazing hot summer, a beautiful cool autumn, a mildly cold winter, and a pleasantly warm spring. 

Minnesota and Wisconsin have two “real” seasons: Definitely cold, and possibly cold.   Spring doesn’t really start until late April when all the snow is finally gone.  Autumn is beautiful, but is always too short. Winter is long.  Summer is short.

Because of the vast climate difference, there is also a tremendous difference in the growing seasons.   In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the growing season is all too short.  In Saitama Japan, it is year round.  The crops changes of course, but something is always growing in the gardens.

What also amazes me are the flowers.  There is always some type of flower blooming like crazy.  Even in the dead of winter.  

 Gorgeous.