On my way home from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine the other day, I stopped by the Imperial Palace Park to enjoy the plum blossom. The trees at Kitano Tenmangu are probably more famous, but the shrine grounds were also a lot more crowded. Though each tree in the park had its admirers, there was really only a small scattering of people around, and so I could enjoy the blooms in a more relaxed and pleasant manner.
![Every tree has its admirers...](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_8638-Medium.jpg)
And there is something very calming about viewing plum blossom.
The scent of plum blossom is subtle, not strong, but deep like wine and very rich. I love to stick my nose in a spray and take a big sniff!
梅ãŒé¦™ã«è¿½ã„戻ã•ã‚‹ã‚‹ã•ã‚€ã•ã‹ãª [æ¾å°¾ èŠè•‰]
ume ga ka ni
oimodosaruru
samusa kana
~ Matsuo BashÅ
plum blossom scent –
this chases off
the cold!
( tr. Michael Lambe)