Last Tuesday I was working at a company up north of Yamagata city. I returned in the early evening on a Tsubasa, Yamagata Shinkansen, express train. Somewhere south of Kaminoyama, the train passed a rather striking scene: a considerable stretch of trees choked by bright violet coloured wisteria bloom. I was a bit surprised to see that sight as it was the first time I had ever noticed it during my almost six years of residence in Yamagata prefecture. Unfortunately my reflexes weren't quick enough, and the train was travelling a bit faster than a local train, so I wasn't able to get a photograph of the scene.
The following week I returned to Yamagata city. On the way I thought I'd be able to see the flowers again, possibly on my return trip. Then I realized that I'd be heading back to Yonezawa later in the evening and it would be dark. So I shifted from my seat on the left side of the Shinkansen cabin and across to the right side.
Alas, the wisteria bloom had faded and wilted away. I spotted a few dull grey coloured remnants of the previous week's bright display. I snapped a photo of the wisteria plants I could make out against the green facade of the woods. It'll be up to the imagination of those who view that sad, dull photo to recreate the previous week's scene....
