Between winter and spring
Between cold and warm 
On the brown branches seemingly under hibernation
Small yellow flowers telling that the season is slowly moving forward

From ancient times, Japanese people have been enjoying the seasonal beauty and following the rythm of nature through a cup of tea. This little series of Toridori's seasonal letter was born to bring — a little spoonful of — seasonal beauty and nature's rythm into our life. 

After the busy holiday season is over, it had already been two months when I realized. I was quite shocked by how fast the time can fly.

February, the month of transition between winter and spring. The air is still cold, but it is already clearly different from the dark, cold air of December and January. The day becomes longer little by little, making us somewhat "restless" looking forward to the soon coming spring — the season of greens and colorful flowers in the fields and forests.

For this particular transition period, there is a group of Belgian native tree species I have long wanted to feature. 

Hazels and alders. These are the very common tree species in Flanders, creating important forest ecosystems in this water-rich region. These two species belong to the birch family (Betulaceae), and they are probably one of the earliest flowering trees in this country.

When most of the trees are still under winter sleep, hazels, followed by alders, decorates the brown landscape with their small yellow flowers hanging from their branches. 

There are also several species in the same plant family in the high mountains of my prefecture*, I didn't see their flowers that often since my hometown was at the foot of the mountain. For me, these trees were something I would find during the summer hikings in the highlands. Their flowers were never the common view in my memory. 

Until my first February in Belgium, I didn't really know the shape of their flowers. When I first saw them, I thought "This is kanzashi (簪)**". I am very happy that I could finally share this experience in my letter.

Like these yellow flowers, there are lots of "extraordinary" ordinary beauty in Belgium. 
I want to keep on capturing their colors on my sketch book, with the season of this land.

*Equivalent of province in Japan.

**Japanese hair accessaries used for the traditional hairstyle. You may have seen them in the old paintings of Japanese kimono ladies in the museums, or during your trip in Kyoto.