Kyoto temple's garden now open to view ‘one-day' blooms
Flowers from Japanese stewartia trees are scattered across Torinin temple's garden in Kyoto's Ukyo Ward on June 9. (Yoshiaki Arai)
KYOTO—The garden of a centuries-old temple here is now open to the public for the brief blooming period of an iconic flower, serving as a reminder of the Buddhist philosophy that all things must pass.
Starting June 9, visitors to Torinin temple are greeted by the delicate beauty of the flowers of "sara" trees (Japanese stewartia) scattered over moss in the garden—a poignant image evoking the fleeting nature of life.
The facility is a sub-temple of the Rinzai Zen sect's head temple Myoshinji.
According to chief priest Genbo Nishikawa, the sara trees bloom during the rainy season, with each "natsutsubaki" (literally "summer camellia") falling within a single day of blooming.
Japan has long associated these deciduous trees with the sal trees mentioned in "The Tale of the Heike." The classic epic famously begins with a reflection on the impermanence of worldly glory: "The mighty must fall."
The event runs through June 22. Admission is 1,600 yen ($11), including matcha tea and a dedicated dessert.
Visitors may also opt for a traditional Buddhist vegetarian meal, priced at 6,100 yen.
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