Autumn in Miyama, Village of Thatching, Flowers, and Butterflies
In October, when it was still early for the autumn leaves, we walked around Miyama in northern Kyoto, famous for its old houses with thatch roofs. Kayabuki roofs stained with the colors of rich harvest. Silver grass and reeds, which will be used to make thatched roofs, are also growing. Some houses are being re-roofed. While the autumn flowers were in full bloom, a migratory butterfly, the Asagimadara butterfly, was swooping down on the Fujibakama, a semi-endangered species. A flock of butterflies dancing on a flower in full bloom, like a dream. It is said that the nectar of Fujibakama contains a poison (pyrrolizidine alkaloid, PA), and that the Asagimadara protects itself from external enemies by sucking the nectar. There is also a theory that males need to consume PA to secrete sex pheromones. The nearby restaurant "Miyama Shizen Bunka Mura Kajika-so" is famous for its gibier cuisine. The photo sho...