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KYOTO : In Japan, spring is best represented by the appearance of cherry blossoms.
But before that, plum blossoms can be enjoyed in many parts of the country.
There is an historic shrine in Kyoto where plums have special significance.
Some plum blossoms are single layered, while others have multiple layers. And they vary in colour from white to shades of pink and red.
There are 1,500 plum trees in the 66,000-square metre precinct of the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine where buildings are designated cultural assets.
At this time of the year, it is a beautiful place to take a stroll, as the flowers emit a lovely aroma.
This shrine was first built in 947 to appease the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane. Sugawara was a great poet, politician and scholar of the 9th century.
Mitsutsugu Kaji, priest, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, said: "He very much liked plums. When he had his home near the imperial palace, he grew plum trees. When he was forced into exile to Dazaifu for a crime he was not guilty of, he planted plum trees at the shrine."
He wrote a famous poem about his hope that the plum would bloom in the spring, even without its master.
It takes quite a lot to maintain these trees.
Mr Kaji said: "(The trees) go bad in 70 to 80 years. We want them to last as long as possible. So every year, when the plum blossom season ends, we fertilise and take care of them."
Aside from the plum trees, there are also many statues of cows here.
For Sugawara, cows were the messenger of the gods.
Today, he is best known as the diety of learning and knowledge. And majority of the visitors to the shrine are students about to take important examinations. - CNA/ms
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