Autumn 2011
Each year, starting in mid September, the "koyo front" (colorful leaves) slowly moves southwards from the northern island of Hokkaido until it reaches the lower elevations of central and southern Japan towards the end of November. Some trees around Tokyo and Kyoto remain colorful into early December.
Maple leaves in autumn are celebrated for their outburst of energy when they show their wonderful changing of colors.
Just like the cherry blossoms in spring, maple leaves soon fall and scatter.
Ephemeral beauty has always captured the hearts of the Japanese people.
From the Nara period (AD 710 to 794), the Japanese people kept the custom of viewing the leaves while boating on ponds, playing music and composing poetry.
Excursions into mountains were started in this early period and are still very popular these days.
In the Edo period, the traditional aristocratic pastime of maple viewing spread among commoners. Shogun Yoshimune who had the cherry seedlings grown to enjoy for the general public also did the same effort for the maple viewing.
The name "momiji" is said to be derived from "momidu" (or momizu). In old Japan "momidu" meant to change color. As you know trees of the maple family turn most brilliant red or yellow among all trees.
There is lace in every living thing. The bare branches of winter, the patterns of the clouds, the surface of the water as it ripples in the breeze… Even the delicate leaves of the maple trees are forming a lace pattern. Some maple trees even have lace names!!
Lace leaf Japanese maples are small trees that are dome shaped with strong cascading habit. Lace leaf maples are sensitive just like a lace textile.
(Traditional Japanese song)
1.
Sunset on the mountains, the fall trees aglow,
Brilliant shades of autumn - crimson red, tan, yellow.
Maple leaves and ivy adorning the tall pine trees
Weave a beautiful pattern here at the foot of the mountains.
2.
Autumn leaves at sunset on the mountain streams afloat,
Each leaf a shade of autumn - crimson, brown, yellow.
Maple leaves as they drift near the bank and away
Weave such beautiful brocades as they go by.
The original, Japanese, version:
１．
秋の夕日に 照る山紅葉
濃いも薄いも 数（かず）ある中に
松をいろどる 楓（かえで）や蔦（つた）は
山のふもとの 裾模様（すそもよう）
２．
渓（たに）の流に 散り浮く紅葉
波にゆられて 離れて寄つて
赤や黄色の 色さまざまに
水の上にも 織る錦（にしき）
