The summer sky is clear and blue, with the sun shining brilliantly. Wind chimes sway at the eaves. The sound of wind crossing fields and rice paddies. Escaping the daytime heat, at night, in deep mountain streams, fireflies dance, unfolding a fantastical scene.
Speaking of the contrast between darkness and light, the large blooms of fireworks launched into the night sky are also an indispensable feature of this season. People in yukata gather, cheering with each launch. Fireworks are fun, but gradually become tinged with melancholy. Even amidst the bustle, a delicate sentiment is hidden.
In shrine precincts where lantern lights flicker, the drums of Bon dances resound, embodying gratitude to ancestors and prayers for future generations. Hustle and tranquility. Light and shadow. Summer’s beauty lies in the moments of coolness lurking within the heat, and in the very stillness itself.
