The blossoms of 梅 Ume, Prunus mume, are the faint-fragrant harbinger of spring in Japan.
They typically bloom one after another between late January and early March
persevering the frigid cold of winter.
At this time of year, it feels like that weather gets warmer with each
new bloom.
In various different places, the first bloom of Ume was the earliest in record this year.
I went to 城南宮 Jonan-gu, which was built to protect the south of Kyoto from evil spirit
when the capital was transferred to Kyoto in 794.
On entering one of its gardens called "春の山 Spring Mountain",
I felt like that white and pink snowflakes were drifting all around.
Almost all the Ume trees that cover all over the Spring Mountain are weeping type.
The cascading branches with blossoms as far as you can see are mesmerizing.
Under them, a pink carpet of petals spreads on the green moss.
Admired and photographed by so many visitors, the blossoms look in the pink.
The green moss is dotted with the fallen red Camellias around the edges of the Spring Mountain.
Ume blossom is the symbol of Perseverance and Hope.
Peace for Illia
for all the suffering people from wars
Illia Bondarenko & Ryuichi Sakamoto
Camellias are another highlight of the shrine at this time of year.
Linked to Mosaic Monday
