A Thousand Shades

Photo credit: Ash Amplifies

One of the kigo we explored in this episode was banryoku, which translates to a thousand shades of green. This is the season of green, isn't it? Certainly, summer will bring it its new shades and variations, but right now everything is fresh and alive. Walking down the street, especially on a rainy day in early May, I marvel at all the subtle differences. The blushing new growth of the Japanese maple, the crayon-Irish spring green of the hydrangea, and even the first flush of the chickweed which has sprung up everywhere. For so many months I have walked by a tangle of brown and grey, and I admit my eyes are still adjusting to all this fresh new growth. It is a marvelous feeling to be reminded about the life you nearly forgot about it. It was still there even in those cold months, biding its time for just this season.

- A