I love haikus because they pack so many meanings into such a small space. I want to suggest a different interpretation for plum scent. Plums ripen in late spring/early summer, so I think he is not referring to the plums themselves, but the blossoms. Plum trees flower first of all fruit trees, so the flowering of plums is seen largely as a sign that winter is over.
Japan has 72 poetic microseasons and I think that it is beautiful to put nature in that form. There isn’t one that specifically calls out plums, but there is one that refers to trees budding and I think that implies plum trees. https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00124/
I absolutely love the show! I always look forward to it as the start to my work day. I love hearing the poems getting your prospective on their meaning.
I love haikus because they pack so many meanings into such a small space. I want to suggest a different interpretation for plum scent. Plums ripen in late spring/early summer, so I think he is not referring to the plums themselves, but the blossoms. Plum trees flower first of all fruit trees, so the flowering of plums is seen largely as a sign that winter is over.
Japan has 72 poetic microseasons and I think that it is beautiful to put nature in that form. There isn’t one that specifically calls out plums, but there is one that refers to trees budding and I think that implies plum trees. https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00124/
Oh, you're completely right! Thank you!
I absolutely love the show! I always look forward to it as the start to my work day. I love hearing the poems getting your prospective on their meaning.