Rikka (Beginning of Summer)

Cormorant fishing on Nagara River (left); a cormorant. (© Pixta)

During the Sanja Matsuri, the Kaminarimon’s paper lantern is folded up to allow the portable shrine to pass through. (© Pixta)

Aoi Festival is a Heian-style procession marking early summer. In ancient times, an unmarried imperial princess served at Kamo Shrine on behalf of the emperor, but nowadays, an unmarried young woman is chosen to perform this role in the festival, adorned in a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono. May 15, 2018 (© Jiji)

A red carnation is a common Mother’s Day gift. (© Pixta)

Bamboo shoots (left) and steamed rice with bamboo shoots. (© Pixta)