Blanket of red coming to life

A single flower is very beautiful.  It is delicate and interesting.  Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, specializes in taking single flowers and displaying them in striking simplicity.  But where we went today was not about the beauty of a single flower.  We went to see a blanket of red blooms come to life.

In the 1970's the town of Hidaka acquired an area called Kinchakuda.  The Koma River winds around this area in almost a purse like shape.  In order to make the area next to the river into a park, people cleared the ground of bushes, bamboo, and weeds.  In the place of these plants red spider lilies began to bloom in huge numbers.  It is believed that the lily bulbs came to the area in a flood and took root.  Since the bulbs split and produce more and more flowers over the years, it has continued to grow in numbers every year.  It is estimated that the area now has over 5 million red spider lilies in bloom around the fall equinox.

This morning we were out the door and headed to the train station before 8 am.  Our journey to Hidaka would take an hour and a half, so we wanted to get an early start.  After a bit of train hopping, we made it to Koma Station, along with hundreds and hundreds of other people.  I couldn't believe the sea of people walking together for the sole purpose of seeing the beautiful flowers.  It was as if the destination was calling to people to come and see the flowers.

Upon arrival, we were in awe of all the red flowers.  Just like the sunflowers we saw in August, we couldn't get over the sea of flowers.  The blooms wove around the trees, filling large spaces, in and out of the shade.  The park was lovely.  With the flowers on the upper bank and the river down below, I found it to be very relaxing.  Despite all the other people that were also viewing the flowers, it was a calm atmosphere. 

One thing that struck me was the lack of scent.  I am used to lilies that smell very strongly, but red spider lilies do not have a strong scent.

For the Japanese, red spider lilies symbolize loss, longing, abandonment, and lost memories.  They are also a flower that represents the end of summer and the beginning of fall.  A flower with such powerful meanings, they are often used in funerals.  While most westerners would probably be saddened by a flower with such sad meanings, the Japanese are drawn to it.  Death is a part of life and there is beauty at every stage. 

So as we say goodbye to the summer, we celebrate the end with viewing striking red flowers blanketing the dark of shadows and light of the day.