Yoshino Baigō Plum Blossom Festival(吉野梅郷梅祭り)
Yoshino Baigō Plum Blossom Festival(吉野梅郷梅祭り) was held on the 16th of March in 2014. Plum is one of flowers which heralds the start of spring. Yoshino Baigō(吉野梅郷) was selected the most magnificent plum site on questionnaire in 2009 by Nikkei which is one of authoritative newspapers. It's like saying that Yoshino Baigō(吉野梅郷) gained prestige among professional photographers.
Why do I use past tense? Unfortunately, plum pox was found just after crowned.
There were approximately 1,700 plum trees at main plum park at the peak in 2009.
500 plum trees were already cut down. However, it couldn't stop epidemic.
The national government ordered the municipal government to cut down all trees after this festival in 2014.
Replanting will start in 2017, 3 years later.
How long will it take to recover to what it looks nowadays?
Especially cherry blossom lovers often says they wish every flower site is full of cherry blossoms.
Considering this incident, it should not be. Basically, flower sites are somewhat artificial.
It's against natural providence. Single variety at one spot cannot survive eternally.
If one is infected, it is a matter of time until infections are rampant.
Seeds drift in the breeze, travel long distance and grow there.
Like this, all living things have been preserving its species since prehistoric age.
Anyway, not only at main park but approximately 25,000 plum trees are planted around 4km range from east to west at this town.
We can still enjoy its view.
I reached at the nearest station, Hinata Wada Station(日向和田駅) around 9:40AM.
I got a leaflet which says that events is scheduled from 10:00AM to 3:00PM.
So, I headed to the main park. Staffs served "Amazake(甘酒)/Sweet fermented rice drink" for free at the entrance.
Amazake has its history dating back 1,500 to 1,800 years.
It is good for summer lethargy. Its nutrition is similar to intravenous fluid.
That's why it is said that Amazake is intravenous drink.
Just keep in mind it's early out of stock. When I was back there around 10:45AM, serving was over.
I got my hopes up how wonderful view would be widespread.
However, even though that was the festival day, most parts were still buds.
It's a bummer. We had colder days this year. It can't be helped.
Why do I use past tense? Unfortunately, plum pox was found just after crowned.
There were approximately 1,700 plum trees at main plum park at the peak in 2009.
500 plum trees were already cut down. However, it couldn't stop epidemic.
The national government ordered the municipal government to cut down all trees after this festival in 2014.
Replanting will start in 2017, 3 years later.
How long will it take to recover to what it looks nowadays?
Especially cherry blossom lovers often says they wish every flower site is full of cherry blossoms.
Considering this incident, it should not be. Basically, flower sites are somewhat artificial.
It's against natural providence. Single variety at one spot cannot survive eternally.
If one is infected, it is a matter of time until infections are rampant.
Seeds drift in the breeze, travel long distance and grow there.
Like this, all living things have been preserving its species since prehistoric age.
Anyway, not only at main park but approximately 25,000 plum trees are planted around 4km range from east to west at this town.
We can still enjoy its view.
I reached at the nearest station, Hinata Wada Station(日向和田駅) around 9:40AM.
I got a leaflet which says that events is scheduled from 10:00AM to 3:00PM.
So, I headed to the main park. Staffs served "Amazake(甘酒)/Sweet fermented rice drink" for free at the entrance.
Amazake has its history dating back 1,500 to 1,800 years.
It is good for summer lethargy. Its nutrition is similar to intravenous fluid.
That's why it is said that Amazake is intravenous drink.
Just keep in mind it's early out of stock. When I was back there around 10:45AM, serving was over.
I got my hopes up how wonderful view would be widespread.
However, even though that was the festival day, most parts were still buds.
It's a bummer. We had colder days this year. It can't be helped.
Serving "Amazake(甘酒)/Sweet fermented rice drink"
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Hiking course was nice. Some visitors had late breakfast at the top.
It was lovely day. I walked around under the radiant sun.
It was lovely day. I walked around under the radiant sun.
I took some closeup pictures.
Plus, I'd like to show you how wonderful at its season. Here are official sites' pictures.
Reference From: Official Site Photo Gallery
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URLOfficial Site(Japanese):
http://www.omekanko.gr.jp/ume_new/ume_index.php When 2nd or 3rd Sunday on every March Show Time 11:00AM - 3:00PM Admission(Main Park) 200 yen Access To Main Park: 15 minutes walk from Hinata Wada Station(日向和田駅), JR Ōme Line(青梅線) |
Wadaiko(和太鼓)/Japanese Drum Performance started just after 1:00PM.
The team name is Ōme Daiko(青梅太鼓). I cannot find their official page.
Some performers must be high school students. But, they really played well.
The team name is Ōme Daiko(青梅太鼓). I cannot find their official page.
Some performers must be high school students. But, they really played well.
Especially, this duo of a big guy(Left) and a good-looking guy(Right) in my first video beat well and powerfully.
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They beat small and big drums rhythmically, not only their front drums but next drums.
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It's a bummer that I cannot share air vibration.
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After 0:45 on this video, the big guy jumped and turned briskly. I wonder he is a judo athlete?
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After 3:00 on this video, they beat both side of drum splendidly.
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After this play, all audience gave applause. The team leader expressed their gratitude. A visitor called loudly "Encooooore!!". Another visitors followed him. "Encore!! Encore!!"
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Kamiyobashi Dōri神代橋通り
10:00AM - 11:00AM Ohayashi(お囃子)
11:05AM - 11:45AM Lion Dance(獅子舞)(下郷郷土芸能保存会)
11:55AM - 12:05PM Opening Ceremony開会式
12:05PM - 12:30PM Horse Parade(警視庁騎馬隊・交通少年団パレード)
12:35PM - 1:05PM Min'yō Dance(民謡踊り)(青梅市民舞踊連盟)
1:05PM - 1:40PM Japanese Drum Show(和太鼓)(青梅太鼓)
1:45PM - 2:15PM Ōedo Dance(大江戸ダンス)(大江戸舞祭連)
2:15PM - 3:30PM Ohayashi(お囃子)
青梅市梅の公園
12:00AM - 1:30PM 野点(青梅茶道会)
12:00AM - 12:30PM 草笛演奏(青梅草笛クラブ)
1:00PM - 3:00PM 琴の演奏(山田流琴美会)
10:00AM - 11:00AM Ohayashi(お囃子)
11:05AM - 11:45AM Lion Dance(獅子舞)(下郷郷土芸能保存会)
11:55AM - 12:05PM Opening Ceremony開会式
12:05PM - 12:30PM Horse Parade(警視庁騎馬隊・交通少年団パレード)
12:35PM - 1:05PM Min'yō Dance(民謡踊り)(青梅市民舞踊連盟)
1:05PM - 1:40PM Japanese Drum Show(和太鼓)(青梅太鼓)
1:45PM - 2:15PM Ōedo Dance(大江戸ダンス)(大江戸舞祭連)
2:15PM - 3:30PM Ohayashi(お囃子)
青梅市梅の公園
12:00AM - 1:30PM 野点(青梅茶道会)
12:00AM - 12:30PM 草笛演奏(青梅草笛クラブ)
1:00PM - 3:00PM 琴の演奏(山田流琴美会)
Ohayashi(お囃子) is a kind of Japanese music during festival. Performers often wear funny mask, Hyottoko(ひょっとこ).
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I've ever seen various lion dance. This lion dance is quite different. Generally, a pair of people play lion dance. One person become front paws. The other become back paws. At this festival, each player wore a lion mask and danced.
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http://www.omecci.jp/yurai.htm
http://www.hanazakura.jp/ume/ume/yosino.html
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/berettagoldteam/15183568.html?from=relatedCat
http://flower.enjoytokyo.jp/
http://www.omekanko.gr.jp/ume_new/ume_index.php?p=chishiki
http://homepage1.nifty.com/tkomse/sub660.htm
http://www.hanazakura.jp/ume/ume/yosino.html
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/berettagoldteam/15183568.html?from=relatedCat
http://flower.enjoytokyo.jp/
http://www.omekanko.gr.jp/ume_new/ume_index.php?p=chishiki
http://homepage1.nifty.com/tkomse/sub660.htm