牡丹(ボタン) peony

　いろいろなボタンが咲くお寺に行ってみると、花は既に終了していました。どういうめぐり合わせか、帰りの道端に、これから咲くボタンがあるのに気が付きました。

　I went to a temple where various peonies were blooming, but they had already finished blooming. By some kind of coincidence, on my way home, I came across peonies that were about to bloom on the roadside.

姫卯木(ヒメウツギ) Deutzia gracilis

　山道でよく見かける、枝いっぱいに小さな花を咲かせるヒメウツギです。

　This is Deutzia gracilis that is often seen on mountain trails and has small flowers scattered all over its branches.

白櫤(シロダモ) Neolitsea sericea

　黄褐色で毛に覆われ垂れ下がった若い葉が、緑の木立の中で独特の外観を作り出しています。

　The drooping leaves that are young, yellow-brown, hairy make a distinctive appearance in the green groves.

松の花 pine flower

　松の花は風媒花です。虫を引き付ける必要がないので、花びらもなく、いたって地味な花です。

　Pine flowers are flowers that are pollinated by wind. As there is no need to attract insects, the flower is simple and has no petals also.

菖蒲(アヤメ) iris

　神様を祀る小さな祠（ほこら）のそばに自生するアヤメです。背景に見える赤い柱は、朱色に塗られた鳥居です。この朱色には、魔除けの意味があるそうです。

　These iris grow wild by a small wayside shrine dedicated to a local god. The red pillars in the background are Torii gates painted in vermilion. It is said that this vermilion color has a meaning to ward off evil spirits.

青梅大祭 Ome festival

　1513年に山車が繰り出すお祭りが始まったそうです。かつては、山車の上に人形が飾られていましたが、明治時代の終わりには、電線が架設されたので降ろされました。

　青梅大祭は、毎年5月2日と3日に開催されます。

　It is said that the festival that utilizes floats began in 1513. In the past, Dolls were displayed on floats, but at the end of the Meiji period, they were taken down because electric wires were built.

　The festival is held on May 2nd and 3rd every year in Ome City, located in the northwestern part of Tokyo.

ready to go

(sorce) ometaisai home page

one of the float dolls on the ground

岩梨(イワナシ) Epigaea asiatica

希少植物種のイワナシです。実は1cm位の大きさの球体で、梨の味がするそうです。今回は幸運にも出会いましたが、実がなる頃に再開することはないと思います。

　Epigaea asiatica is a rare plant species. This time, I was fortunate enough to come across the plant, but I don't think I will meet it again when it bears fruit.