Today is February 29th, meaning that this year is a leap year. In the Gregorian calendar we use, there is an annual deviation of 6 hours between it and the Earth’s orbital period. Therefore, every four years, a leap day is added to correct this discrepancy, and that year is called a leap year. If the AD year is divisible by 4, it is a leap year. The presence of an Olympic Games is associated with leap years. To determine if a large number is divisible by 4, you check if its last two digits are divisible by 4. This year is 2024, so the last two digits (24) are divisible by 4. However, there is an exception to leap years; years divisible by 100 but not by 400 are not leap years. An example is the year 2100, which is divisible by 4 but not a leap year. However, the Olympics will still occur.
In a corner of the Izumi City Environmental Park, there is a plum orchard. This unique plum orchard has daffodils planted extensively as its undergrowth. From December to January, daffodils bloom abundantly, and as the plum blossoms begin to unfold in late January, the daffodils shed their flowers. By the end of February, most daffodils have dropped their flowers, and the plum blossoms are in full bloom. The green of the daffodil leaves becomes even more vivid, highlighting the pink weeping plum branches. The collaboration between daffodils and plums from mid-winter to early spring is stunning. When comparing plum blossoms to cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are not only vivid in color but also have an excellent fragrance. On the other hand, cherry blossoms, with a slight pink hue, present a modest appearance and have almost no fragrance. However, when cherry blossoms cover the entire tree or cluster together, they are magnificently splendid. They intoxicate people. In contrast, plums gently calm people’s hearts. Perhaps due to seasonal differences, plums and cherry blossoms contrast in various aspects, embodying a duality that resonates with the Japanese people.
When this season arrives, there is always a particular flower that captures my attention – the fragrant wintersweet, or ‘Robai’ in Japanese. Near the pond in the park, there is a vibrant red-blossomed Kan-hi-zakura (cold scarlet cherry tree), and a little further away, the Robai (wintersweet) can be found. Initially, I went to the park drawn by the beauty of the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms. However, at that moment, a delightful fragrance emanated seemingly from nowhere. Even though I tried to smell the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms, they had no discernible scent. The enticing aroma seemed to waft from beyond the bushes, so I ventured into the thicket to discover a splendid display of Robai flowers in full bloom. The enchanting fragrance became even more pronounced in the surroundings. The flowers truly resembled wax, appearing yellow and translucent, as if revealing the blue sky beyond. Since then, every year, I make it a point to visit the park to admire both the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms and the Robai. Interestingly, these two flowers bloom simultaneously during the same season. Despite being flowers with entirely different atmospheres, they resemble a married couple – like a husband in a vivid red gown and a wife exuding the lingering scent of soap after a bath.
North of Kyoto, there is Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, where Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning, is enshrined. In remembrance of Michizane, who was said to have loved plum blossoms, the annual ‘Ume Matsuri’ (Plum Blossom Festival) is held on his death anniversary, February 25th. Within the precincts, outdoor tea ceremony seats are arranged, and visitors savor tea prepared by maiko (apprentice geisha). Sugawara no Michizane, known from high school history textbooks for the cancellation of the envoy to Tang China in 894, was born into a scholarly family in the Heian period. Gifted in waka and kanshi poetry from a young age, he excelled in both literary and political fields. However, his talents and rise to prominence incurred the displeasure of the powerful Fujiwara clan, leading to his unjust demotion to Dazaifu in Kyushu, where he met an unfortunate end. After Michizane’s unfortunate death, a series of disasters occurred, and people, fearing it was his curse, enshrined him as Tenjin (the god of heaven) at the present-day Kitano Tenmangu Shrine to appease these misfortunes. In the current exam season, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine serves as a power spot for many students seeking success in their studies. It’s interesting to note that people in Kyoto refer to him as ‘Tenjin-sama,’ while in Osaka, he is known as ‘Tenjin-san’.
Among the cherry blossoms, fresh leaves start to stand out on the Kawazu cherry blossoms. Even such Kawazu cherry blossoms, when the night curtain falls and they are illuminated by lights, the leaves are hidden, and only the flowers stand out. At first glance, it’s a night cherry blossom scene that seems unchanged, but it is finally the last night cherry blossoms. Around the time when news of the first spring breeze has yet to arrive, the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to scatter. Blooming proudly in the midst of winter and announcing the arrival of the New Year, the Kawazu cherry blossoms fall, evoking a hint of loneliness and a complex mix of feelings, hoping for another reunion. As the Kawazu cherry blossoms turn into leafy cherry trees, it marks the true beginning of the cherry blossom season. The leading role, Somei Yoshino, begins to bloom. The progress of the cherry blossom front is reported daily, and Japan is intoxicated by cherry blossoms from the heart of the city to the corners of the countryside. Cherry blossoms bloom everywhere, and on the blue tarps spread beneath them, feasts unfold. This year, many tourists from overseas will likely visit Japan to see the cherry blossoms, so the cherry blossom viewing of 2024 will likely be a diverse “hanami” gathering with people of various races.
Today is February 23rd. It is a national holiday, the “Emperor’s Birthday.” By the way, a “national holiday” is a day designated by the country’s law as a day off, while a “festival day” is a day on which religious ceremonies are performed but not necessarily a holiday. Also, it is not correct to refer to the current emperor as “Reiwa Emperor.” The same applies to the former emperor, “Heisei Emperor.” The term used for emperors, like “Showa Emperor,” is called “okurina” and is a posthumous title given to honor the virtues of a person after their death, and it cannot be used until their passing. Referring to the emperor by two generations ago as the “Showa Emperor” is the correct expression. Additionally, today, February 23rd, with its numerical wordplay on “223,” is also known as “Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) Day.” This year, with the easing of the pandemic, many tourists from around the world are visiting Japan. Among the places tourists wish to visit, “Mount Fuji” is always a popular choice. Mount Fuji is not only well-known globally but is also designated as a World Heritage Site. Its perfectly balanced appearance is the secret to its popularity. It’s not an exaggeration to say it is the most beautiful mountain in the world. However, opinions on what constitutes balance or beauty vary from person to person. Some may argue that the sharp pyramid shape of the Matterhorn (Switzerland), an aspirational mountain for climAdditionally, today, February 23rd, with its numerical wordplay on “223,” is also known as “Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) Day.” This year, with the easing of the pandemic, many tourists from around the world are visiting Japan. Among the places tourists wish to visit, “Mount Fuji” is always a popular bers, is the most beautiful. Others might prefer Mount Teide (Spain), an extinct volcano in the Canary Islands that offers magnificent views from its summit. If you’re Chinese, Mount Tai might be your choice, or you might choose the unexplored peak of Meili Snow Mountain (Bailey Setsuzan, Minling Kangri) in the remote Tibetan region. Still, Mount Fuji remains the best in the world. Its majestic and solid presence never fails to impress, standing as the only mountain among the world’s renowned peaks designated as a “World Heritage Site.” It has been revered in the hearts of the Japanese people as a spiritual anchor since ancient times, and no other mountain has been talked about, sung about, and depicted as much as Mount Fuji.
In recent times when the seasons seem to be changing faster, even the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms have started to show their young leaves. Now well-known nationwide, Kawazu cherry blossoms can be seen in various places across the country. They begin to bloom as early as mid-January in some locations and reach their peak around mid-February. Unlike Somei Yoshino, which starts to grow leaves after the flowers fall, Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to sprout leaves from the full bloom stage. When we talk about the cherry blossom front, it usually refers to the flowering front of Somei Yoshino. According to this year’s forecast, the first flowering is expected to be on March 18th in Tokyo, followed by Fukuoka on the 19th, Nagasaki and Yokohama on the 20th. With the increasing fame of Kawazu cherry blossoms and their widespread planting throughout the country, there might be a distinction between the first cherry blossom front represented by Kawazu cherry blossoms and the second cherry blossom front represented by Somei Yoshino.
At the fish market, the standout presence is Kinmedai (the golden sea bream). Its vivid red hue is so striking that one wonders where such a vibrant color comes from. In reality, this color develops over time after being caught. While swimming alive in the sea, it exhibits a cherry blossom-like pink, resembling the true sea bream. Immediately after being caught, only the back turns red, with the overall body appearing silver. Kinmedai are widely distributed worldwide, but major production areas in Japan include Shizuoka, Kanagawa, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kochi. The highest catch volume is at Shimoda Port in Shizuoka, where individually caught specimens are branded as ‘Jikinme’ or ‘Toro Kinme,’ establishing them as premium Kinmedai. Being a deep-sea fish, Kinmedai have a rich flavor throughout the year, but their fat content peaks from December to February, enhancing their sweetness. Additionally, from June to August in the summer, the flesh tightens, offering a refreshing taste, making these months along with winter considered the prime season for Kinmedai. Nevertheless, savoring it locally is unparalleled. Especially, thinly sliced and enjoyed with soy sauce and wasabi, Kinmedai is a culinary delight.
Today, the day after ‘Usui’ (Rainwater), the temperature exceeded 25°C in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, reaching 25.4°C, and in Kamisatomimachi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, it reached 25.1°C. This marks the first time this year that the temperature has exceeded 25°C in the Kanto region, making it the first summer day in Honshu as well. In a nearby park, bougainvillea is in full bloom. Speaking of ‘Usui,’ it is a period considered a prelude to the arrival of spring, as we pass the beginning of spring, and it is the time when snow turns to rain, melted snow and ice transform into water. It is also a suitable time for decorating hina dolls in preparation for the Doll Festival on March 3. There is a verse in a Hina Matsuri song that goes, ‘Let’s offer flowers, peach blossoms,’ but since peach blossoms bloom around the time cherry blossoms fall, plum blossoms are often used to decorate hina dolls. However, with the plum blossoms also finishing blooming due to this heat, cherry blossoms must be used instead. Many foreign tourists appearing on television are dressed in summer attire with short sleeves and shorts. The ‘Vernal Equinox,’ which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, is still a month away, making it completely confusing to understand the seasonal sequence.
Yesterday, the 18th, was bustling with news of mountain burning. The controlled burns took place in Akiyoshidai National Park, known for its representative karst plateau in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and at the nationally designated natural monument, “Oomuroyama,” in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture. In the past, the practice of burning grass for livestock feed and thatching materials for roofs was widespread across the country. However, such activities have significantly decreased over time. Nevertheless, the tradition of grassland burning is still preserved in various regions throughout the country. Recently, these controlled burns are conducted not with the primary purpose of livelihood but rather to maintain landscapes and ensure biodiversity. The spectacle of vast grasslands and mountains engulfed in flames serves as a poetic harbinger of spring, attracting numerous tourists. New buds and insects emerge from the earth that has been warmed by mountain burning, but when it’s as warm as it has been these days, there may be no need to wait for mountain burning.
