The summer camellia, also known as the "flower of the sala tree" that appears in "The Tale of the Heike," is in full bloom at Torin-in Temple (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City), a subtemple of Myoshinji Temple, and a special public event, "Admiring the Sala Flowers," began on June 10, 2024. White flowers were scattered here and there in the moss-covered garden of the Zen temple, and worshippers were pondering the life of the flower.
The summer camellia is a tall tree of the Theaceae family. It blooms in the morning and loses its flowers in the evening, which is said to represent transience. In Japan, it is likened to the sala trees that were on all four sides at the time of Shakyamuni's death.
There are about 20 summer camellias in the grounds of Torin-in Temple. According to the head priest, Nishikawa Genbo (85 years old), the flowers usually bloom in late May, but this year they began to bloom about five days later, in June.
On June 10th, the head priest Nishikawa Genbo performed a flower offering, chanting sutras and offering incense in the front garden of the main hall, where summer camellias grow. Head priest Nishikawa Genbo said, "I hope that people will feel the impermanence of this human world by looking at the flowers that bloom and wither in a day."
The special exhibition will be open until June 23rd. Prices include sweets and matcha tea and cost 1,600 yen.
