Plum Blossoms in Early Spring
Hiroshige’s window-framed view is punctuated by a flowering branch of budding ume (plum blossoms). Ume, the first important flower to blossom in the spring, have strong connections to the Asian continent, especially in Chinese poetry and painting, in which they are often portrayed together with the melodious uguisu or bush warbler. Its blossoms were a popular inspiration for springtime flower appreciation including hanami (flower viewing) parties in early Japanese culture before the primary focus moved to sakura blossoms. The perspective taken in this image is probably from the second-story window of one of the several tofu restaurants at the Massaki Inari Shrine, looking across the Sumida River.
Hiroshige’s window-framed view is punctuated by a flowering branch of budding <em>ume</em> (plum blossoms). <em>Ume</em>, the first important flower to blossom in the spring, have strong connections to the Asian continent, especially in Chinese poetry and painting, in which they are often portrayed together with the melodious <em>uguisu</em> or bush warbler. Its blossoms were a popular inspiration for springtime flower appreciation including <em>hanami</em> (flower viewing) parties in early Japanese culture before the primary focus moved to <em>sakura</em> blossoms. The perspective taken in this image is probably from the second-story window of one of the several tofu restaurants at the Massaki Inari Shrine, looking across the Sumida River.