TsukuBlog
Paulownia Trees (KIRI, 桐) in Bloom – find one (appropriately) in front of the Tsukuba U. Administration Building
7 May, 2021
A large paulownia blooming in front of Tsukuba University`s Administration Building – quite appropriate since university`s emblem features paulownia blossoms and leaves
By Avi Landau
For those of us living in Japan who savor the changes that take place month by month, week by week and day by day in our natural surroundings, May just might verily be the merriest month of the year ! The rice-fields, which for the preceding six months have been dull, brown, empty spaces are within a span of a few days flooded creating a magnificent water-world, with tips of young rice plants just breaking the mirror-like surfaces in uncannily perfect rows. Ducks, egrets and herons descend joyously upon these waters. The bush-warblers practice their distinctive song, out of tune at first, but after a few days at it you hear them singing away pitch perfect – while at night the mighty frog choruses roar. The young leaves of spring fill the air with a delicious musk – and so many shades of green, while the seasons flowers give us just as many shades of violet… wisteria, iris, azalea…..