Spring has come to Kyoto...

We have come back to Japan 2 weeks ago, Ume flowers are blooming in Kitanotenmangu in Kyoto, and it telling us "spring has come to Kyoto already!!" It's located in north Kyoto where is traditional and the oldest place for Geisha.

In 25th of February, they have a traditional festival called Baika-sai, it's related to its roots. This shrine enshrines Michizane Sugawara , who because of his great learning during his lifetime is worshipped as the patron of learning. Michizane was first especially favored by Emperor Uda, who bestowed great trust in governmental affairs upon him. But later he was exiled to Kyushu because of slander and died in exile in 903. After his death, severe earth-quakes and thunderstorms did constant damage in the home provinces, and it was thought commonly that these were the result of his wrath.

To the right hand left of the main shrine(Haiden) are growing pine and plum trees with a historical connection with the deity of the shrine. Michizane loved blooming plums because of not only its beauty, but also the fact that we can see plum's characteristic which is really brave because it will bloom when it's in the early spring, and still cold, it will not be afraid of cold.



The many plum trees in the shrine precincts are due to the fact that Michizane was fond of plum trees in his lifetime.

The trees are the important connection between the past and present, they are telling us a history of the man who loved these beautiful flowers and it's characteristics.

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