I'm a fan of the white blossoms. And could anything be more beautiful than "梅雨 (tsuyu)" plum rain?? I see how the rain is falling through those characters, maybe against the windows, or maybe under the eaves of the buildings. We are due for a few days of rain to start soon here, and I will think of it as "plum rain," herald of white blossoms, all week long! Thank you for this brush of beauty!
Nothing better represents the beauty and fragility of life than cherry blossom. London's parks put on their own small show every Spring if they aren't wiped out by rainstorms, that is!
The painting by Sō Shizan is especially beautiful! I feel I'm reading this post fresh. The flowering trees and bulbs season are my favorite in the garden.
Jeffrey that was all so lovely, the 'Blossoming Plum and Camellia in a Garden Landscape, Kano Koi' is exquisite. We are fast approaching Ume season here, without doubt, over and above cherry blossom, my favourite of all my fruiting trees, not least because they are always the first and thus spreading hope for the warmer months ahead.
Thanks for resharing Jeffrey. And I particularly love these words: "these billowing, bewitching symphonies of pink that usually explode into full bloom late in March".
Lovely pictures. I was lucky enough to view the cherry blossom some years ago and have been wanting to go back, but didn’t know about plum blossom being a thing too. I did try plum wine, which is a deceptively innocuous name for an extremely potent but delicious drink! I seem to remember an apricot version too.
So lovely! I’m a huge fan of ume (ume shiso rolls and pickled ume in green tea especially). So tossing in a vote to share more of your wisdom on the pickled plum at some point too!
Loved this the first time, Jeffrey, and it warms my heart again on this cold day in Minnesota. Thank you for bringing us these plum blossoms in all their splendor.
Thank you! I think the cherry blossoms must have a good marketing team…But also, in much of Japan, early April when the cherry blossom blooms, is a good season for sitting under a tree and having a picnic.
Oh that I could jump in a plane! I have looked and drawn at such works at the Fitzwilliam and have always longed to visit. I am so enjoying your posts, thank you.
Jeffrey, wish I could see the plum blossoms!
I wish you could too, Debbie!
I'm a fan of the white blossoms. And could anything be more beautiful than "梅雨 (tsuyu)" plum rain?? I see how the rain is falling through those characters, maybe against the windows, or maybe under the eaves of the buildings. We are due for a few days of rain to start soon here, and I will think of it as "plum rain," herald of white blossoms, all week long! Thank you for this brush of beauty!
Nothing better represents the beauty and fragility of life than cherry blossom. London's parks put on their own small show every Spring if they aren't wiped out by rainstorms, that is!
Indeed! I guess one could add that few things better represent the unpredictability of the world than the English weather!
The painting by Sō Shizan is especially beautiful! I feel I'm reading this post fresh. The flowering trees and bulbs season are my favorite in the garden.
Thank you, Troy. I'm so glad that this post has retained its freshness!
Gorgeous photos and words! I could scroll through this post over and over.
Thank you so much, Holly!
Jeffrey that was all so lovely, the 'Blossoming Plum and Camellia in a Garden Landscape, Kano Koi' is exquisite. We are fast approaching Ume season here, without doubt, over and above cherry blossom, my favourite of all my fruiting trees, not least because they are always the first and thus spreading hope for the warmer months ahead.
Thank you, Susie! I hope the plum blossom arrives soon for you!
Once again, you have enlightened and entertained all at once Jeffrey :)
Thank you, Michael!
Thanks for resharing Jeffrey. And I particularly love these words: "these billowing, bewitching symphonies of pink that usually explode into full bloom late in March".
Wonderful images to accompany the post too!
Thank you, Sarah!
So lovely!
I'm glad you enjoyed this, June!
Lovely pictures. I was lucky enough to view the cherry blossom some years ago and have been wanting to go back, but didn’t know about plum blossom being a thing too. I did try plum wine, which is a deceptively innocuous name for an extremely potent but delicious drink! I seem to remember an apricot version too.
I'm glad you enjoyed this, Alison. And plum wine or umeshu (梅酒) is ubiquitous here and comes in many forms. I agree, it's delicious.
So love to hear of people who notice the nature around them, and come to love it. So enjoyed your posting about the Japanese love of plum blossoms.
Thank you, Sandy! That widespread awareness of nature is for me one of the joys of living in Japan.
To have people around you seeing nature, is perhaps the easiest way to open ones eyes to nature. Lovely to think of that.
So lovely! I’m a huge fan of ume (ume shiso rolls and pickled ume in green tea especially). So tossing in a vote to share more of your wisdom on the pickled plum at some point too!
Thanks for the homework, Kimberly! 😊 I'll start researching…
That’s tasty homework, if you like sour flavors that is….
😊
Loved this the first time, Jeffrey, and it warms my heart again on this cold day in Minnesota. Thank you for bringing us these plum blossoms in all their splendor.
Beautiful piece! One of the reasons I would like to visit Japan. Why are the cherry blossoms stealing all the attention from the other tree blossoms?
Thank you! I think the cherry blossoms must have a good marketing team…But also, in much of Japan, early April when the cherry blossom blooms, is a good season for sitting under a tree and having a picnic.
Oh that I could jump in a plane! I have looked and drawn at such works at the Fitzwilliam and have always longed to visit. I am so enjoying your posts, thank you.
Thank you so much, Deborah!
Thank you, Tara! I love that expression (and the Chinese characters) too!