Tempted by the color and fragrance ...

Ume (Japanese apricot) blossoms are at last in bloom brightening up the pale wintry landscape about two weeks later than usual due to the severe cold this year. 

After hectic two weeks with emotional turbulence, I walked to Yamato Bunka-kan in my vicinity and found it was the right time for ume blossoms.  Isn't the view over the walls inviting?

Ume, which starts flowering in mid-winter, symbolizes strength, resilience, perseverance, and purity.   The aroma of the blossom and its pure white color has made it very popular with everyone since the ancient times.

There are also red and pink blossoms.

There are many buds yet to open. 

Sugawara Pond is said to be the site of the oldest dam in Japan in Nihon-shoki, the Chronicles of Japan.

 Ume trees had been so favored by the ancient people since its entry from China. There are as many as 119 tanka poems about ume blossoms in Manyoshu Anthology compiled in the 8th century.

Ume was once called as “mume”. I suppose probably due to an euphonic change “mu” to “u” in the pronunciation, "mume" from its scientific name “prunus mume” became “ume”.

Shidare-ume/weeping branches

Like sakura (cherry trees), ume come in many varieties.

Even if not so explicit like cherry blossoms, don't you feel enchanting aura?

Winter-blooming iris near the pond

On the ground under the ume trees

Although air was so cold, I found spring had been already in my heart awaiting for this kind of scenery.  The season of warmth and fertility is around the corner.

Last year's ume post: Ume blossoms - harbinger of spring

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