Seasons greeting from Japan – Plum blossom Festival and Sho-Chiku-Bai

Dear My Friends,

Seasons greeting from Japan.

Plum is at is Best. We have many Plum festival in February.

Plum trees and bamboo trees. Pine (松-Sho), bamboo (竹-Chiku) and plum (梅-Bai) are three noblest plans in Japan and
called ‘Sho-Chiku-Bai’ collectively.

They are strong enough to withstand cold winter, therefore they are considered noble, and loved as good luck symbol.
We cerebrate new year decorating a house with these trees. Sho-Chiku-Bai also means a ranking category, hierarchy.
Pine is the top, bamboo is the second and plum is the third. When you go to a Japanese restaurant,
you’ll find ‘Sho-Chiku-Bai’ ranking system in the menu.

Note: Although there is a rank among Sho-Choku-Bai, they are all regarded as a auspicious symbols and noble plants.

Yushima Tenmangu Plum Tree Festival Feb 8 to Mar 8, 2002.

Yushima Tenman-gū (湯島天満宮) is a Shinto shrine located in the Bunkyō ward of Tokyo, Japan.
Established in 458, it is now devoted to Tenjin, the kami of Learning.
For this reason, it is also called Yushima Tenjin. It is located very close to Ueno Park, and not far from the University of Tokyo.
It is a frequently sited by prospective students hoping to pass the entrance exams, particularly in April.
At this time, the temple receives many offerings of ema, votive tablets to petition the kami for success.
One of the most famous features of the shrine are the blossoms of his plum trees (ume) in the spring. In February and March,
the annual festival Ume Matsuri is held, attracting many visitors.

http://www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/eng-page/english.htm

http://www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/ume/2020/index.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yushima_Tenmang%C5%AB

Thank you!

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