[Japanese word: “Ume”]

Today’s Japanese word is “Ume” (plum).

“Ume” is very familiar in Japan.
We like to watch and eat the “Ume”.
In Japan, “Ume” flowers bloom in early spring.
Many Japanese people feel spring when we see the “Ume” blooms.

Today, I will talk you some stories about “Ume”.

・”Ume-boshi” (pickled plum)
Pickled plum is indispensable for Japanese food.
“Umeboshi” is pickled using salt and “shiso” (beefsteak plant).
In addition, it may also be created by adding honey.
“Nankoubai” is one of the famous of honey Umeboshi.

・”Ume-no-Hana” (Plum blossom)
“Ume” flowers are also cute, and it has a good smell.
There is also a Japanese garden that was planted a lot of trees of plum.
Typical garden is “Kairaku-en” (Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture).
Here, there are 100 species of “Ume” tree, and 3000 of “Ume” tree has been planted. Full bloom of the “Ume” is very beautiful.
In this year, the “Ume” festival will be held from Feb. 20th to Mar. 31th.

・The symbol of Study’s God
To Japanese, the symbol of Study’s God is “Ume” blossom.
The symbol of “Yushima-tenjin” (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) is a flower of “Ume”.
Yushima-tenjin enshrines Study’s God.
When it comes to the season of “Ume”, they also helds “Ume-matsuri” (“Ume” blossom festival). In this year, the festival will be held from Feb. 8th to Mar. 10th.

We think “Ume” is one of the important culture for Japanese.
How about it?