Ume blossoms at Tsukigase Ume Valley and Hillside

Tsukigase Ume Valley is historically famous for its scenic beauty.

There are about 10000 Ume (Prunus mume) trees on the hillsides
and along the V-shaped valley where the Nabari River runs.

It was designated one of the first scenic beauties in 1922 

together with Nara Park and Kenroku-en, Kanazawa.

In February when most trees are still bare, the buds of early-blooming Ume 

come out enduring the shivering cold.

The pale wintry landscape is going to be brightened up soon with the flowers.

When it warms up a little, they start to bloom in mass.

In March, they are at their best as if to say “Winter's over”.

"Little Plum Blossom of Hill Garden" (山園小梅) by Lin bu  (林逋) 

When everything has faded they alone shine forth,

encroaching on the charms of smaller gardens.

Their scattered shadows fall lightly on clear water,

their subtle scent pervades the moonlit dusk.

Snowbirds look again before they land,

butterflies would faint if they but knew.

Thankfully I can flirt in whispered verse,

I don't need a sounding board or wine cup.

The impression of the hillside with bursting flowers, however, is quite different from 
the solitary hill of the poem.

After the record cold winter, temperatures quickened to warm up 
like late April last week.
Three cold days and four warm days are taking turns,
which is the typical weather at this time of year.

Having lunch or tea at the balconies over the cliff is the time of bliss.

But the colors and fragrance of Ume in the bracing cold air and warmer sunshine

is the best of all. 

Ume blossoms and White Eye

School year ends with Ume blossoms in Japan.
The boy Y (4-year-10-month) is going to be in the second year of the kindergarten in April. 
Like the origami paper boy he made with his mother,
he'll be smiling in the full arrival of spring soon.

Y and the origami-paper boy look alike. Don't they?

Linked to Mosaic Monday
Our World Tuesday