When people think of spring in Japan, many immediately imagine cherry blossoms. Yet just before the cherry trees bloom, Japan welcomes spring in a much quieter way. That gentle beginning is marked by plum blossoms. Plum flowers bloom as the harsh cold of winter begins to soften. Their delicate beauty and refined fragrance have captivated the Japanese heart for centuries. Plum blossoms are not only admired as flowers, but have also been expressed in many forms—appearing in kim
