Lycoris radiata was blooming this morning at the local botanical garden. This is allegedly called “the flower of the dead” in Japan. It figures prominently in episode 18 of Shingu, in which Harumi and Moriguchi discuss events eleven years earlier.
The last time I watched Shingu, I was surprised to realize that I was smiling and occasionally laughing. Laughter is social behavior; when I watch the Marx Brothers or read Terry Pratchett alone at home, I don’t crack a smile, no matter how much I enjoy the absurdities. The people in Shingu are alive for me in a way fictional characters rarely are.
*****
A couple of noteworthy links from the two Jonathans:
Jonathan Tappan writes an introduction to Shintoism.
Jonathan Clements provides context for Summer Wars. (Via Ubu.)