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On Monday, first of September, and official beginning of the "Back to School " season in the city. Late Summer and Autumn - fresh plums, berries, pumpkin soups and roasted chestnuts, cinammon hot chocolates and long, candle-lit evenings. Of course, I already wrote about it, repeatedly, every year. This year, I would like to pause, and think about contemplation and gratitude.
The notion of enjoying each season's blessing is very present and vibrant in the japanese culture, and I remember being in awe at all the little ways they celebrate them - in Autumn, it is the celebration of the Momiji, the red leaves, the warmer, dimmer Autumn light, full moons, mushrooms...
Suddenly, shops decorations are red with maple leaves, restaurants offer seasonal produce in an ad-hoc presentation - we have much to learn from Japanese about food presentation - friends go take a walk in parks, even at the heart of Tôkyô, where gardeners have so planned the vegetation that all is red in Autumn - as much as all is pink in Spring. There was such a small park near the restaurant I used to work at in Ginza. Sometimes, I would come in early and take a long walk, enjoying the fleeting beauty of red painted trees, and have a traditional green tea in a small caban in the middle of a small lake.
Because that's what seasonal appreciation is about - it isn't only about decoration, changing the painting and flower arrangement inside the small tokonoma display space of the traditional japanese room, and serving food in a red leaf ornated plate. It is about being grateful for the fleeting blessings of the seasons, it is about remembering that all things are impermanent, Mujô, and that we should enjoy what we have while it lasts, for it could be taken away in a moment's notice. A wind blow and all leaves scatter the floor. But that's alright too, because times change, and dead leaves will be replaced by other seasonal blessings to enjoy.
Be grateful for the present's blessings, do not regret things past, and be hopeful for future joys. There is a time for everything. Such wisdom we should keep in mind, to slow down and enjoy the blessings of life while they last, instead of running after the next perfect purchase and promise for future, ever elusive happiness.
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Autumn is definitely my favorite season! Not just because my birthday is in october ;) . All the people here are so annoyed that autumn started so early this year, after something you can't even call a summer.
ReplyDeleteAutumn always makes me thoughtful (like you, obviously ;) ). It makes me cosy and comfortable. I never feel the need to decorate according to season, but autumn does. I want to gather fallen leaves and make a garland with them!
Thank you for the beautiful pictures that add so much to my autumnsy mood :D
It's true that a lot of people are complaining about the early arrival of Autumn this year. There might still be hot and sunny days ahead of us in September though, but I like how the light is less aggressive. I'm always glad to hear I'm not the only one who loves Autumn. These colours, scents, candle-lit evenings and hot chocolates... Ah, I could muse about it for hours. I'm glad you like the pictures, enjoy your home decoration ;)
DeleteSo true, and autumn really is my favorite season (actually, august 1st - mid October is. After that it's all back and rainy around here). This autumn I'd like to start the habit of always carrying my small camera around with me, to capture the moments as they reveal themselves. Like you said - the next day they might be gone :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, yes, Autumn is such a short season in Norway... Even more reason to enjoy it deeply! (I lived in Bergen one whole September and one whole February. September was such a beauty! (February that year, too, because I catched an extremely snowy one :) But it was the reason I decided against a possible emigration. It's too dark for me up there in winter :( )
Deletehaha it starts early too! One thing I love about Autumn in northern countries is Chanterelles everywhere. Maybe August is too early for us in France, or maybe we have many different mushrooms and restaurants don't much care about these ones, but when I was in Germany mid-August the hotel's restaurant had tons of chanterelle based seasonal dishes, that's so awesome. Mushrooms are one of Autumn's luxuries, after all fresh, tasty ones are darn expensive. It's a good idea to carry the camera around. I've been taking a lot of pics with my iPhone, but I should carry the big one more often when I take walks. Especially in Autumn ;)
DeleteI love late summer - August and September. Especially when they're warm, like an Indian summer. The light gets softer and less blinding. The edge is off the heat. Leaves usually still carry their leaves, but on some trees they start to turn red, yellow and brown. It's a period of deep smells - flowers and hay, not yet as musty and wet as actual autumn.
ReplyDeleteI like your mood-evoking piece!
I love late summer as well, especially Setpember, for the same reasons mostly. It's like having both the blessings of summer and Autumn - being able to go outside, eat in terrasses, take light walks, but all the while not being worn down by heat or risking sunburns.
DeleteI'm also a big big fan of the back to school season, even if I don't go back to school anymore. I like how life sprawls again in the city, new or renovated shops and restaurants reopen, new radio shows and TV series start, and there is a sort of renewal mood to the city, people are not yet worn out by the cold of winter. This year, I have decided to start new MOOCs as my own adult back to school. With dedicated notebooks and all :)
As always, beautiful post. The reminder to be grateful in every season is something I can always use, and the imagery (and images) you used to convey that reminder is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I've basically gathered images from previous Autumns, also as a reminder of past moments of enjoyment. I'm glad you appreciate it :)
DeleteThis post comes just at the right moment, since I am so sad summer us almost over. Thanks for reminding me to be grateful for all the great things fall offers. Now I can't wait to make the first Apple cake of the season...
ReplyDeleteHaha I'm so happy to hear it lifted your summer nostalgic mood :) Ah, apple cakes... Apples are the firs Autumn fruit to come to season, side by side with plums at the beginning. I love cutting them into slices, and sprinkle cinnamon on them. Or cook them lightly in a pan with raisins, lemon and cinnamon. Apples!
DeleteIt's coming to your part of the world, and so are we! Just in time to enjoy my favourite season, so excited! And indeed grateful for it. But as we leave here soon, I'm enjoying the smell of spring blooming too. x
ReplyDeleteI always forget that Autumn is coming, but only to the Northern hemisphere. I'm sure you are enjoying the last days of Winter over there though/ Maybe you'll have time to see all things blooming before you come over to enjoy the red leaves? You're so lucky to enjoy both seasons at once ;) Enjoy your trip to Europe, I'm so excited for you :)
DeleteWhat sort of soup is in the pumpkin?
ReplyDeletePumkin soup :) No seriously, this picture was taken at a restaurant, and I think it is a pumpkin & cream based soup. Dates back 2012 so my memory is failing me. Possibly with poppy seeds?
DeleteThat picture makes me feel the autumn in my bones. Unfortunately, it's not quite here yet in the midwestern US, but your post is making me long for its arrival even more than I already was.
ReplyDeleteIt's coming rather soon though, just another few weeks! We're still enjoying the last of summer here too, sunny days, melons and plums and lunches on terrasses. I like this transitional period where we can both enjoy the end of summer and see the arrival of autumn :)
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