Plum Blossom Festival

Trip Start Sep 20, 2006
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Trip End Aug 17, 2007


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Flag of Japan  , Kinki,
Monday, February 26, 2007

Today, I went with a friend to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine's famous Baikaisai, or Plum (Ume) Blossom Festival.  We also got to drink tea (I think it was plum blossom tea) and eat a Japanese sweet while enjoying the beautiful plum blossoms.

When I first saw a plum blossom this season, I thought it was a cherry blossom, but I found out they are different.  They begin blooming in January or February, toward the end of winter, and they are a sign that the cold winter is passing.  Most plum blossoms have five petals and range in color from white to dark pink.  Some varieties have more than five petals (yae-ume) and some of the trees have weeping branches (shidare-ume).  The plum blossom trees are usually not as full as cherry blossom trees are, but plum blossoms have a strong fragrance unlike cherry blossoms.  The actual ume fruit is more sour than the western plum or apricot and is usually processed before eaten.

I have really been enjoying how the Japanese people delight in the beauty of each season, and they actually take time out of their busy schedule to enjoy nature.  I have learned a lot from them in this regard.
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