Sunday Kimono - The Finale

Two halves, two different kimono styles modern and traditional, spring and autumn, peonies and chrysanthemums, social and formal, both divine. Kimono style and kimono love!!

Sunday Kimono 13 - Admiring Peonies

Stylish kimono wearing ladies out looking at the Peonies at Ueno Park in January.

Peony Tents

The peonies at the Winter Garden in Ueno Park each have their own intricately woven straw home - very cute - to protect them from frost.

A White Peony

So many types and colours of Peonies - all beautiful.

Peony and Pagoda

The five storied pagoda at Kaneji Temple in Ueno Park is next to the Peony garden.  It gives context to the location of the garden and its importance in the time of the Shoguns. The last Tokugawa Shogun, was defeated in 1868 at the Kaneji Temple.

Another Peony

 A lone Peony in a bowl.

More Peonies

Another obsession - They were truly beautiful!  The winter peonies fuyu- botan at Toshogu Shrine in Ueno Park are forced to bloom early for the New Year as a symbol of good fortune.

Peony Huts

 The Winter Peony Garden at Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park was a highlight last winter so I visited again on Sunday.  Peonies are truly beautiful and regal flowers - no wonder the Imperial Court of Japan  and the Shoguns valued them as Royal flowers and symbols of good fortune.

The peonies are covered with straw snow fences -yuki gakoi - in a traditional Japanese garden.  In one section there was a zen gravel garden as well - Japanese at there best!!

Peony Love

Close up of a beautiful pink peony. Peony is Botan in Japanese and they feature in art work - paintings, fabric, screens, ceramics. Botan are symbols of wealth, beauty and fortune.

Theme Day - Pink

Its the first of the month and Pink is theme for the City Daily Photo community this month.  An opportunity for photo of a pink peony at Jindai Botanical Gardens in Tokyo.

Another Peony

Just because I can - and because I am a bit obsessed with these Peonies -so Japanese!!!

Peony

There was also a display of Peonies at the Jindai Botanical Gardens - beautiful.
I missed the wisteria there - 14 different varieties.  Need to go next year!

Good Fortune

One more Peony photo (with some Lightroom playing)

Peonies in Huts

 The peonies at the Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden near the Toshogu Shrine in Ueno Park were absolutely divine. The richness of the colour, the blousy nature of the huge blooms and their delicacy made for a beautiful visit.
The peony was brought to Japan from China and is seen as a symbol of fertility and nobility.  They are a symbol of good fortune at New Year.
Kan-Botan means winter peony, cultivated using a special technique to bloom in the winter. and to protect them from snow and frost they are given straw shade huts and straw mats.

A White Peony

By chance I found the Peony Festival in Ueno Park on Saturday.  The blooms were divine.

Peonies and Ginkgos

Peonies and Ginkgos are two of my favourite plants, so I was very happy to spend time in this courtyard at Wenshu Temple in Chengdu.  Good photos for my 1000th blog post - WOW.