Tobiume, Sacred plum tree at Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, Japan.
Tobiume is an ancient plum tree at Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine that stands over one thousand years old and produces white blossoms each spring. It grows beside the main shrine building and draws visitors seeking to admire its delicate flowers.
According to legend, this plum tree flew overnight to Dazaifu in 919 to follow its master Sugawara no Michizane, who had been exiled there from Kyoto. This event marked the beginning of the tree's sacred role at this shrine.
The tree symbolizes the deep bond between Michizane and nature, inspiring visitors and poets for generations to reflect on the beauty of plum blossoms and their meaning in Japanese life.
You can see this tree year-round, though February and March offer the best viewing when the white blossoms appear. The shrine grounds hold roughly six thousand other plum trees that flower at the same time, creating a full display of blooming color.
This tree's blossoms display six petals instead of the typical five found on most plum flowers, making it distinctly recognizable among the shrine's thousands of other trees. This rare characteristic has drawn additional attention and reverence from visitors over the centuries.
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