Ume is the plum tree which has these beautiful blossoms. I made the fatal error of calling them 'cherry blossoms' which to any Japanese person is just plain silly. Of course they arent cherry blossoms. The ume blooms before the cherry blossom and the trees are very different. The ume is a small, gnarled, ugly and stumpy looking tree but produces an incredibly delicate and beautiful blossom. The blossom lasts for just a few weeks, sometimes days if there is rain or a strong wind, before becoming fluffy with green leaves. Today we went to a local botanical garden to look at them. They really are very, very pretty. You can see the inspiration for so many paintings, drawings and poetry. Lovely also were the people looking, not touching, yelling or knicking bits. It was sweet to see families sitting under the trees and watching grandparents teaching their grandchildren about the blossoms as they rolled the fallen petals in their hands.
In a couple of weeks the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom. Some have already arrived. Today the park looked very dry and barren after winter but soon will be transformed into a beautiful pink and white wonderland. I am looking forward to return soon to soak up the atmosphere that can only be felt in Japan.
Ume is the plum tree which has these beautiful blossoms. I made the fatal error of calling them 'cherry blossoms' which to any Japanese person is just plain silly. Of course they arent cherry blossoms. The ume blooms before the cherry blossom and the trees are very different. The ume is a small, gnarled, ugly and stumpy looking tree but produces an incredibly delicate and beautiful blossom. The blossom lasts for just a few weeks, sometimes days if there is rain or a strong wind, before becoming fluffy with green leaves. Today we went to a local botanical garden to look at them. They really are very, very pretty. You can see the inspiration for so many paintings, drawings and poetry. Lovely also were the people looking, not touching, yelling or knicking bits. It was sweet to see families sitting under the trees and watching grandparents teaching their grandchildren about the blossoms as they rolled the fallen petals in their hands.
In a couple of weeks the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom. Some have already arrived. Today the park looked very dry and barren after winter but soon will be transformed into a beautiful pink and white wonderland. I am looking forward to return soon to soak up the atmosphere that can only be felt in Japan.
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