Cluster amaryllis：Higanbana、ヒガンバナ

 This flower, called "higanbana" in Japanese,has begun to bloom.

The word higan means "the other shore,"or, in Buddhism, nirvana. During higan, the spirits of ancestors are recalled, Buddhist rites carried out and family graves visited.

The periods: Two periods of seven days with the middle day falling on the spring or autumn equinox. Higanbana will begin to bloom about on the autumn equinox. 

By the way, even though we're into Mid-September, the temperature still goes up over thirty degrees centigrade in the afternoon. I think that's why any migratory birds do not come flying still here.

When it comes to September and March, I remember this saying in Japanese.

Atsusa mo samusamo higannmade.

This means in English, Neither summer heat nor winter cold goes beyond the equinox week.