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Sunday, April 5, 2015

Chidorigafuchi

Chidorigafuchi is one of the popular spots for cherry blossoms (sakura) viewing. It is just a couple of stations away from our office. Seven springs had already passed since joining our company but I never had the chance to do a hanami there. Maybe because I try to avoid the crowd.

chidorigafuchi

Petals 

I summon the wind --

to let the petals fly
with the pigeons and crows;
let them caress the clouds
and be the rain

then, let them swim 
on hundreds seas and lakes
with stingrays and clown fishes

build a floating bridge 
where fantasy
and reality reconcile. 

The wind summons me
in return

there's a thirsty bonsai
tree in yellow
and violet pebbles

the petals of spring 
are still in transit. 


Last Saturday, our photography group decided to have a Sakura photo walk around Tokyo. Chidorigafuchi was our last stop. And as expected, a large crowd welcomed us and everybody was walking in baby steps. As we all wanted to be witnesses to spring’s last hurrah, no one really cared about the freezing temperature.

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How soon do the sakura bid its farewell? Too soon, I think. Just last week, they started to bloom and by the weekend they are already breaking free from their branches. It’s quite magical to see them fall though. The petals dancing in the breeze and resting on the river afterwards. In an instant, the collective petals turn the emerald waters to pink.

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Now I know why Chidorigafuchi is very popular in Tokyo during spring. It has a cinematic feel that could transport one to another dimension in a very limited time. In just one scene, you can see the flowers talking to each other, lovers promising forever, and a river humming a lullaby. You can’t help but record that scene - with or without selfie sticks. Haha!

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We waited for the light up in order for us to practice long exposure shots. I must admit that I always struggle with it for years and have given up long time ago especially when most of the results are not what I expected them to be. But still it’s fun.  One day, I hope to see myself carrying a tripod.

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That’s all folks! The Sakura show is over around Tokyo and is heading to the North of Japan for their next performance. I may be able to see it. Got my tickets already.

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Happy Easter everyone! 

/totomai 
2015/04/05 

Photos taken with Nikon D7000  lenses used :
      Nikkor 18-300mm 3.5f      
      Tamron 11-16 2.8f      
      Nikkor 10.5 2.8f

52 comments:

  1. Happy Easter..it is hard to imagine the cold there as so much warmth comes through in your images and words...maybe enjoyment keeps you warm!

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    1. Or maybe it was the beer! Thanks Jae and happy easter to you and Alice.

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  2. This is absolutely remarkable!! Lovely pictures!!
    Wishing you a very happy Easter! :D
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks Sanaa, this could be a perfect location for a romantic film.

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  3. As always, you take us on the most magical and beautiful journey. This week's is off the charts. Spectacular beauty! Thanks so much for sharing all you see and I hope you soon have that tripod. I would send you one, if I only could!

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    1. Hi Sherry, I bought a tripod but sold it to a friend since I am too lazy to carry it haha. Will buy this year and hopefully I can keep it.

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  4. I have been transported to a magical world totmai....it is a pink fabulous heaven...too wonderful to be real and your photos are again just exquisite...they brought tears to my eyes along with your perfect poem!

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    1. Thanks Donna. Yes, wish I have a very long lens too. :)

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  5. There's a lovely sense of freedom here!

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  6. must be amazing to experience this..looks just wonderful.

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    1. Looks unreal Natasca. Now I finally know the reason why it was so popular

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  7. Thank you Totomai for the poem and the exquisite pictures. Easter is almost over, but I hope you had a good one and that you have a great trip the other side of Japan. I appreciate that you share what you see.

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    1. I spent the rest of the Sunday sleeping, Myrna as it was raining hard yesterday. The sky was crying because of the sakura...

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  8. Such a privilege to be able to walk through all the beautiful sakura scenes. Thanks for sharing totomai! They are just fantastic pics!

    Hank

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    1. My pleasure to guide you on this virtual tour, Hank.

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  9. This seems quite a sight and what a blessing to be able to witness such transient beauty! Thank you for conveying it and sharing with us through our words and your photos.

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    1. My pleasure Gabriella. Maybe that is the charm of the cherry blossoms so that everyone will be excited when it returns after a year.

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  10. Really amazing photos, Totomai. So sad that the cherry blossoms bloom for such a short time, but I guess it is better to see them for a short time than not to see them at all. I enjoyed your poem...seemed to come full circle between you summoning the wind and the wind summoning you. I always look forward to your poems/posts.

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    1. Yes, Mary, sometimes we forgot on other things especially if we are too focused on passing ones.

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  11. Gorgeous photographs...and I love your words suggesting the idea of the petals of spring still being in transit....what a lovely way to phrase it.

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    1. For about a year, they are traveling... thanks CC

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  12. "the petals of spring / are in still transit"---I'm all for the silence, listening to these magical petals of spring. The passing may be too soon but the mem'ries they'll leave are beyond a lifetime for sure. The waters going pink, the flowers talking to each other, the river humming a lullaby---these are just breathtakingly amazing to witness for. Thank you for taking us to Chidorigafuchi with you through these close-to-life photographs, Totomai. Happy Easter!

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    1. If this is still enough to convince you to visit Japan.... Happy Easter Kevin

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  13. Petals of spring are still in transit... excellent, as are your pictures.

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  14. What joy your photos create, and your words share that affection. Thank you for sharing and Happy Easter to you,

    Elizabeth

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  15. Lovely photos, totomai! Happy Easter!

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  16. How you bewitch us with your stunning photography. We know of course it is not the camera but your eye that produces such beauty.

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  17. Thank you so much for this grand treat Totomai...spent some mesmerizing moments here...

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  18. genuine reflections within and outside too

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  19. A lovely poem to go with another set of fantastic pictures.

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  20. how wonderful for you your Sakura walk; thanks for sharing you expeience of petals asail with us
    Happy Easter

    i'm happy you dropped in at my Sunday Lime

    much love...

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    1. Thanks Gillena, I can be your virtual guide in Japan.

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  21. Oh my gosh, totomai!! How beautiful and serene it must be to see these blooms up close. Your poem is just as beautiful as your photos :)

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    1. I hope I can be on the boat next year. Thanks Torie

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  22. I love how petals wear our life, beauty makes people happy ~ enjoyed creative word play with wind, photos - amazing!

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    1. Let us dance with the wind, thanks humbird

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  23. Thanks Loredana... the petals were just on vacation leave lol

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  24. Powerful imagery, with an even more potent delivery of words. Nice!

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  25. Beautiful words and pictures Totomai ~ I can't wait for spring here to finally arrive ~

    Grace

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any thoughts to distill?

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