A Touch of British Color in Yokohama English Garden・英国の風、横浜イングリッシュガーデンのユニオンジャックベンチ

Location: Yokohama English Garden, Yokohama, Japan Timestamp: 16:29・2024/08/13 Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP 45 mm ISO 400 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/4.0

In addition to the gazebo, several wooden, stone, and concrete benches were scattered throughout the garden, making it a delight to sit and relax while soaking in the vibrant colors, fragrant aromas of flowering plants, and the gentle hum of insects thriving in this urban oasis.

One bench that particularly caught my eye was this white bench adorned with a Union Jack. For me, the wear and tear on this particular bench, with its peeling paint, adds a charming touch and nostalgic-like vibe, perfectly complementing the character of this English garden.

On this day, 60 years ago, Canada officially adopted its now-iconic Maple Leaf flag. At precisely noon on February 15, 1965, in a solemn yet historic ceremony in Ottawa, the red and white banner bearing a single, stylized maple leaf was raised for the first time, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign and the Union Jack as the country’s national flag.

The decision to adopt a new flag was not without controversy. Many Canadians held deep attachments to the Red Ensign, which had served as the country’s unofficial banner and bore the Union Jack, symbolizing Canada’s British heritage. The Union Jack itself was retained for royal and Commonwealth occasions, a nod to Canada’s enduring ties to the Crown.

Yet, despite the debates and divisions of the time, the Maple Leaf flag has since become a unifying symbol of Canada, representing both its history and its national identity in the modern world.