Japan Info Swap Blog

Plum blossoms are severely overlooked. When asked to name the most quintessential  example of Japanese flora, most people immediately name the cherry blossom.  I frequently argue however that  it is perhaps the plum (ume) blossom that should be the more celebrated. Sporting reddish pink or white flowers, they are distinguishable from the sakura by their split ended petals and their strong, sweet smell. Prior to the Nara Period (710-794 AD), it was in fact the blossom of …