A Ride Through Memories and Fragrance

 

As I pedal around my local area, the soft breeze carries a faint, nostalgic fragrance that awakens memories of my younger days.

 

A Journey to Asuka Village

Back when I lived near Asuka Village in Nara, I would often traverse from the Ishi-Butai Burial Mound, passing through Inafuchi, and over the Asakaze Pass.

The sight of the twin-peaked Mt. Nijoh silhouetted against the western sky of the Yamato Basin would always evoke a sense of fondness.

 

On the paths lined with mandarin orchards, leading towards Hinokuma, the pure white mandarin blossoms would greet me with their gentle fragrance.

As I hummed the ancient poem from the Noh play "Hibariyama" — inspired by the legend of Princess Chūjō — I would feel enveloped by the sweet aroma.

 

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A Local Ride for the Sake of Nostalgia

It had been a while since I took a ride to rediscover the unique charm of my hometown. 

As I passed through the village paths, the white blooms of deutzia caught my eye, standing out vividly amidst the surrounding greenery.

 

 

I decided to head toward Takakura Shrine, where the massive camphor trees, draped in vibrant new leaves, stood tall and majestic. 

Local volunteers were busy cleaning the shrine grounds, and the sound of gagaku (ancient court music) played softly in the background.

 

 

Near the shrine entrance, I greeted the Ayasugi Cedar, resilient despite bearing the scars of past fires. 

I also paid my respects at the Iga-Hiko Shrine, dedicated to the deity Iga-Hiko, as mentioned in the Nihon Shoki.

 

 

A Blend of Nature and Legend

It is said that an owl resides in the giant camphor trees, but as I've never visited at night, I've neither seen it nor heard its call. 

 

Flowing beside Takakura Shrine is the upper stream of the Shioiri River, also known as the Chitaru River, named after the legendary Empress Jingū.

 

 

The western approach to the shrine crosses a drum bridge, and as I wandered through the spacious grounds, I felt the urge to cycle from the Okagaki Bicycle Path to the Hibikinada Bicycle Path, leading to the white sand and green pines of the Sanri-Matsubara Coast, heading towards Ashiya.

 

The Fragrance That Rekindles Memories

Passing along the river from the Takakura settlement, the newly blooming mandarin flowers greeted me with their sweet scent.

The aroma stirred countless memories, like a long-forgotten song suddenly playing in my mind.

 

 

As the poem goes:

"Awaiting the early summer,

The scent of mandarin blossoms

Reminds me of the fragrance

Of a loved one's sleeve from long ago."

 

This timeless verse from the Kokin Wakashū beautifully captures the emotions stirred by the fleeting scent of blossoms on a nostalgic spring day.