I took this picture yesterday in Engakuji shrine, just down the hill from my house. A cascading flourish of bamboo, some kind of Japanese catkins (or laburnum?), and in the foreground, with its fresh, delicate scent, white plum blossom. An impetuous, stirring whoosh of incoming Spring.

Black Bamboo or Green Bamboo?
Black Bamboo sounds like it could be a character from Kill Bill: never heard of it! Only know that this is very very green…
Beautiful! Lovely to see them at source, fresh and green. Spring is happening. I’m working with bamboo myself this morning! Am just carrying a load of canes with me now, along with big suitcase! Young peoples’ workshop. They’re great for doing drama and movement work with. Open up a lot of balance, play and light in a room.
I turned a corner and my eyes saw something like waterfalls, but in plants and in green. The picture doesn’t capture it, but you get the drift.
I agree, bamboo is a deliciously fresh thing.
This is EXACTLY what my eyes need to see at 5 am in NY where it is 25 degrees F outside this morning…thank you, Neil!
My pleasure. It’s lovely, isn’t it?
EXQUISITE!!!! wish I were there…….
Perhaps I can mail my little self to Japan…..
You might have to.
I think you should stop shortselling yourself regarding your natural perfume making abilities. In my opinion you could bottle, label and sell Alabaster Wrists, with a more appropriate name, absolutely no problem. It honestly is as good as all the other natural perfumes I have smelled, no flattery intended – just my factual opinion.
You should seriously think about it. Nx> Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:21:59 +0000 > To: opoponax8@hotmail.com >
Neil- you are beyond kind! Honestly, I like keeping it as a hobby for that is where all the fun lies…I hate measuring and note taking and all that is involved in making fragrance that is for sale. And besides, I never formally studied aromatherapy/perfume making (except what I read/research on my own via the internet) so I would never call myself a perfumer. I get great pleasure blending for friends and family. For me this is enough! But thank you for your sweet words
xxxooo
And you do realize that I have you to thank for both names of my blends- Alabaster Wrists and Ginza in the Rain !!
Beautiful photo in Enkakuji..
Thank you.
beautiful spring blossoms, thank you. The Japanese equivalent of the bunches of daffodils outside my kitchen window? I am very much looking forward to the temperature eventually rising above 5 degrees, taking off my wool coat, hat and scarf, and the chance to swap some wintry scents for spring ones x
I am totally with you. Fortunately for us, it has happened more quickly here; there are some dips, but we are definitively in spring weather mode now and going to the temple yesterday was quite frankly exquisite
x
Quite the most beautiful image I have seen today.
Thank you.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Glad you thought so. Some mind the blurriness: I don’t at all.
Glad you thought so. Some mind the blurriness: I don’t at all.
Reblogged this on The Black Narcissus and commented:
Both of us had dreams/nightmares about Japan last night.
I can feel it coming closer, as this whirlwind England visit draws to a close. It has been amazing, actually – a real maelstrom of different emotions and people: Perfume Lovers London was petrifying initially but I ultimately loved it (such great people!), and I also just happened to walk away with the ultimate prize at the Jasmine Awards, the Literary Prize, which wasn’t bad either.
I have much to write about, but will just leave you with an image of the kind of scenery that will be there when I go back.
Don’t think it can ever really compare to the beauty of the English countryside, though….
we have certainly loved having you here
I miss you already
I can barely imagine the details of your visit to England, but it has been interesting (and fun) to read along. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!
Thank you. It has been a very memorable trip indeed.
I love this pic. Safe journey back vous deux, xxx
Thanks Nina.
See you in Japan x