Ume blossoms at the Kitano Tennmangu

東風吹かば
にほひをこせよ
梅の花
主なしととて
春な忘れそ

When the east wind blows

spread your scent

you plum blossoms!

Even though you lose your master

don't be oblivious to spring

This is a poem composed by Sugawara no Michizane (845-903),
a gentle scholar and politician, on leaving his home in Kyoto.

Due to the crime fabricated by his political enemy,
he was demoted from his aristocratic rank to a minor official
at the remote Dazaifu and died in exile.

Michizane's innocene was proved after his death.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was built in honor of Michizane
as well as for the peace of nation.

"After Michizane's death, plague and drought spread and sons of Emperor Daigo died in succession. The Imperial Palace's Great Audience Hall was struck repeatedly by lightning, and the city experienced weeks of rainstorms and floods. Attributing this to the angry spirit of the exiled Sugawara, the imperial court built a Shinto shrine called Kitano Tenman-gu in Kyoto, and dedicated it to him. They posthumously restored his title and office, and struck from the record any mention of his exile. Even this was not enough, and 70 year later Sugawara was deified as Tenjin-sama, or kami (god) of scholarship. Today many Shinto shrines in Japan are dedicated to him." (Excerpt from here)

"Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is the very first shrine in Japanese history

where an actual person was enshrined as a diety."

Many students visit the shrine wishing their success in entrance examination

as well as their improvement of academic abilities.

The very warm weather let the ume bloom two weeks earlier

 than the last year at the Kitano Tenmangu.

The blossoms must be wafting fragrance in the bracing air and the warm sunlight now.

These photos were taken in the beginning of March last year.

Recently I'v refrained from using public transportation when possible

or outing to the crowded places.

The Ume Garden was supposed to be lit up in the evening.

As a reflection freak, my eyes were glued to the reflections on the surface of candle containers.

At the kindergarten of boy Y, academic year-end performance was held 

prior to the graduation ceremony one month away.

The event features the violin performance by the eldest class members.

Almost all the members have learned playing the violin from scratch since April.

I simply wonder and respect how teachers taught violin to five/six-year-olds.

Children's version of The Grateful Crane, Japanese folktale
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and others

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Our World Tuesday