Kakitsubata (Water Iris) : PhotoStory

A monk is visiting Yatsuhashi in Mikawa Province, a place famous for its water irises. A local woman recites a poem that is connected to the village.

The woman offers the monk lodging for the night. She then appears before him wearing gorgeous clothing.

Her appearance is linked to the writer of the poem, Ariwara no Narihira, and his lover, Princess Takako.

The woman reveals that she is the spirit of the water iris. In praise of Narihira, she dances.

The woman, a reflection of the flowering water irises of the marsh, recalled Nariwara.

The water iris is praised for its beauty and compared to the sword-leaved iris.

The pure white sleeve flutters. Before long, the night sky begins to lighten.

In the dawn, the blessed merit of Buddha’s law is received and enlightenment is open even to the water iris flower.