Please Enjoy A Virtual-Reality Tour Of An Autumn Hunting!

Now it is the season of colored leaves. As I mentioned several times previously, Japanese always love seasonal things. The same way people go out for "Hanami (Seasonal Flowers Viewing)", people rush to see beautiful colored leaves in this season. However, we don't use the word "Viewing" for the colored leaves in fall. Somehow we use "Hunting" for the colored leaves, such as "Let's go to colored-leaves hunting this weekend!"

The pure red color of Japanese maple leaves is one of the most popular colors of autumnal foliage same as ginkgo's golden color. Then, this temple in the photo-slideshow above, Heirin-ji Temple in Niiza City, Saitama prefecture, would be a great spot to enjoy it in fall. 

The temple has a long history and is said that it was originally established in 1375. Unfortunately during the Japanese Warring States Period most of the buildings were burned down, but it was restored under the protection of the very first Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, of Tokugawa-shogunate era (Samurai era). 

Actually this temple has a historical relation with Hachioji City. There is a grave of a Samurai princess born during the Japanese Warring States Period. She is an older sister of Princess Matsu, whom I introduced as "Refugee Samurai Princess" in my previous post in last April 10th and April 28th. (Please click the date to read the previous posts).

This older sister is known as "Kenshoin", and she also played an important role in Japanese history, although it was very different from her sister, Princess Matsu's contribution. Kenshoin was entrusted a hidden illegitimate child of the second Tokugawa-Shogun to raise. It was a request from the first Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa. Thus she was buried a major temple under the protection of Tokugawa-Shogunate government. 

It is interesting to hear that the sister, whose family was defeated and went to ruin, survived by themselves and played important roles in history. Anyway, please enjoy the beautiful autumn view!