FLOWERS IN JAPANESE SPRING SEASON

What do you think the typical flower in spring is in Japan ?
Usually, we point out SAKURA, cherry flower. I think you will.

SAKURA is really beautiful flower.

Not only that.
It blossoms locally at once,
and it also falls flower at once again.
The flowering time is only 1 week or so.

Many people are intuitively drawn to this spectacular beauty and its transience.



And now, do you know the other flower in spring which is same impressive in Japanese mind as SAKURA ?


It is UME, Japanese plum flower.
( UME - this is *NOT* Undefined Mysterious E-mail !)

Long ago, - maybe over one thousand years ago, the typical one was UME. For example, in some old Japanese verses in HEIAN Period, UME was more popular spring flower than SAKURA.

SAKURA blossom is spectacular. but UME blossom, I feel, is graceful. I think UME blossom is more fit for Japanese mind.


Why and When did SAKURA overcome UME ?

As SAMURAI gained power more and more, the typical spring flower seemed to be changed gradually from UME to SAKURA. The transience of SAKURA flower may be so fitted as to SAMURAI spirits.




UME may be an unfamiliar Japanese words for most foreigners, but I believe it must occupy an important deep position in Japanese mind more than SAKURA even now.


PS. Can you find the difference of UME and SAKURA floral shapes?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/thumb/7/75/Cherr...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/thumb/c/c6/%E9%9...