i took my visitors to meiji jingu and we checked out the iris gardens and meiji shrine. gorgeous, as always. must confess i'm not a great fan of the iris, it lacks a certain vividness and energy. but the sight of a seeming river of flowing irises most certainly soothes the soul. the area was full of artists perched on little stools or stretched out on mats, their paints splayed out in front of them. a great many photographers too. all making the most of the fleeting joys of the changing seasons.