Plum trees

The plum trees are quick in bloom in early spring, when the weather is still cold.

The trees were introduced into Japan from ancient China.

It appeared in Manyoshu for the first time, which is the oldest existing anthology of Japanese poetry and was compiled in the late 8th century. 

Plum blossoms were one of the most beloved flowers of the aristocrats in Nara Period. 

Even today, a lot of people love these noble, elegant and fragrant blossoms.