Kumamoto Castle area filled with greenery
After the rain, I took a walk around Kumamoto Castle. Grasses on the Sunayakushi-zaka slope looked very heavy with water drops on their heads.
Walking to the Plum Gerden, the plum trees were covered with fresh greenery and had changed their appearance!
Please compare it with the photos from around April 7th in this link.
Please compare it with the photos from around April 7th in this link.
Plum fruits have grown considerably. I looked around the garden, but I didn't see many plums.
Kumamoto Castle seen from Miyuki-Zaka slope. Kumamoto Castle can barely be seen through the greenery.
A tourist was taking pictures of Kumamoto Castle at the same place as I was.
Descending the slope from the plum garden and reaching the intersection with the Kumamoto City Tram street, you will find a rowan tree on the corner.
Around this time of year, it blooms with beautiful flowers.
Around this time of year, it blooms with beautiful flowers.
When these flowers bloom, it reminds me of the movie Living. Living is a British remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 film Ikiru, with a screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro. It was produced in 2022 and released in theaters on March 31, 2023.
This film tells the story of a protagonist who, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, confronts the question of how to live. Watching it made me reflect deeply on the meaning of life.
In the film, there is a scene where the protagonist, feeling somewhat reckless after being diagnosed with cancer, sings a folk song from his hometown at a bar. The song is 'The Rowan Tree,' a traditional Scottish folk song. The following YouTube link shows that scene.
Every time I see the rowan flowers, I’m reminded of that scene. My own life is also approaching its final chapter. It feels as if the rowan blossoms are gently reminding me each time to truly reflect on what it means to live.
