Aobass bloom confirmed at Saienji Temple (7/4).

Today, after the storm has passed, the bluebells at Saienji are blooming well!

　Aobus buds at Xi'enji Temple


Several buds about to bloom


July 4, 2018, around 9:00 a.m.

Aobasu (blue lotus), a natural treasure of Yamaguchi Prefecture, a particularly beautiful variety of lotus

This lotus is a white-flowered, heavily petaled cinnabas called rozanbaku, a particularly beautiful variety of lotus.
There is a temple legend about this aobass as follows.
When he studied in Tang China, he brought back old lotus seeds from Rozan and presented them to Gakushin Shonin of Koumyouin Temple in Miyajima (Hiroshima), Geishu.
Later, Houju, the 10th monk of Saienji Temple, who was engaged in missionary work in Hiroshima, paid a visit to Komyo-in and received four lotus seeds as a gift.
This was in accordance with the will of Gakushin Shonin, who said, "Seeds should be given to a great teacher.
After bringing back the seeds, Hoshu immediately sowed them in the hermitage of his retreat. This is said to have happened in the 5th year of Bunsei (1822).
Later, the lotus was divided between the nearby Saienji Temple and Hofunan (a nunnery).　(Source: Nagato Historical Walk)

Even today, beautiful flowers can be seen every year from early July to August at Saienji Temple and Hoshu Shonin no Iori (retreat house).

Aobass at Saienji Temple

Best time to visit: Early July to mid-August
Location: Senzaki 2118, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Admission: Free
Parking: Approx. 5 cars/free
Access: 3 min. walk from Sanden Kotsu Bus "Dainihi" stop, approx. 45 min. drive from Mine IC on Chugoku Expressway

Name: Aobas at the hermitage of Hoshu Shonin no Ieori
Best time to visit: Early July to mid-August
Location: Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (for location details , go here )
Admission: Free Parking: No parking (*5 min. walk from Saionji Temple)
Access: 3 min. walk from Sanden Kotsu Bus "Hinsho-mae" stop/
About 45 min. drive from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway.