Everybody said that the fall colors in Japan would be breathtaking but I didn't really think they would like any different from Michigan.  But I was wrong.  The autumn colors are incredible! The main difference seems to be the Japanese Red Maples and the yellow Gingko trees - the colors are vibrant and almost seem fluorescent at times.  It's common to see people driving and walking around on campus frequently stop to admire or take pictures of the beautiful trees.  All of the pictures below were taking on campus by one of the Peace Fellows who is a great photographer, Rashmi.















My Japanese tutor pointed out to me that the Japanese kanji for "autumn" has the radical for "tree" and "fire" in the character which got me excited.  I thought it was so romantic to think of the meaning of fall as being the leaves literally ablaze.  However, the full meaning of the kanji is from the Chinese which combines the meaning of "field" with "fire" because years ago, the Chinese burned their fields after harvest in the fall to destroy locust eggs.  Not as pleasing of an image, but still interesting.

Japanese kanji character for "autumn"

I've been told that in the spring when the cherry blossoms come out that it's even more beautiful.  I can't wait to see that!

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