A week after heavy snow left damage across the region, plums in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are opening one after another. Compared with our late-January note, peak viewing has arrived. Snow lingered in shaded ice patches, yet lunch-hour strollers—office workers, photographers and walkers—filled the gardens.
On Umebayashi Slope from Hirakawa Gate near Takebashi Station, Benichidori, Oshidori En'o, Yae Karume, Yae Kanko, Obae, Gyokutan, Toji, Shin Toji, Yae Nomu and Shirakaga are in bloom; Kagoshima Beni blooms south of Shozokan. Plums always seem to flower with quiet dignity.
"When the east wind blows, send your fragrance, plum blossoms—though your lord is gone, forget not spring." Sugawara Michizane's flying plum survives at Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka, yet any plum stands proud. This time I captured a large photo of a Japanese white-eye.
This Sunday the 23rd is the Tokyo Marathon—35,000 runners cheered through central Tokyo. Forecast: sunny intervals, high 9°C—expect crowds combining marathon support and plum viewing.
Domestic invitees to watch include Shinn Fujiwara (Miki House); debut marathoner Chihiro Miyawaki (Toyota) among highlights. Sadly Nakamoto Kentaro (Yaskawa) and Yuki Sato (Nissin) withdrew for health; Yudai Dekiji (Chugoku Electric) is out with injury, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation announced on the 20th.