February 11, 2018

Find Spring Coming in Kameido Tenjin Shrine with Plum Blossoms


February is the coldest season and especially this year we have very cold winter.  
However, the blooming plum blossoms are a sign that it is almost spring.  Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto city is famous for its beautiful plum blossoms and a few trees have started blooming.  In its premises there are more than 300 red and white plum trees.  

Blooming seems to be a bit delayed this year.  They are expected to reach their peak in terms of blooming after mid-February. Plum blossom festival has already taken place there until March the 4th.  It will be crowded with people and many stalls will open.  
Feb 7, 2018

This shrine was dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a very talented scholar, poet and politician in the 9th century and he became a god of learning.  He is the first person from the non-imperial families who was enshrined as god.  

It was established in 1662, when a wooden statue of Michizane from his favorite plum tree of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka was installed.  He liked plum blossoms and wrote about them in his many waka poems. There is a statue of him when he was at the age of 5 with his poem praising of the blossoms.
“What beautiful red plum blossoms they are. I would like to adorn my face with them.” (trial translation)

Why don’t you visit there to feel spring!

(by Tomoko)

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