Late in August, as summer drew to a close, I visited Hakusan Park in Niigata City. Here, lotus flowers descended from Chusonji Temple have grown in the park's large pond, making it a well-known spot for lotus viewing. As the leaves begin to wither and the seed heads drop their seeds into the pond, beneath the surface the rhizomes are quietly gathering strength for next year's shoots.　　　2026.8.24