Michizane was a scholar and politician in the 9th century. Due to his extraordinarily high intelligence and hard work he moved up the political ladder. However, he was demoted from the highest rank official in Kyoto, the capital, to minor post in a remote town as the result of his rival's scheme. Although he wasn’t successful as a politician and died unhappy he is revered by Japanese people as a great scholar.
On a chilly but sunny day in February I took my American guest Steve, who is a professor of law, to the shrine. He was amazed at the thousands of Emas, saying there no custom like that in his country. The garden was crowded with people who came and saw the hundreds of ume plum blossoms at the shrine which cultivate them because of Michizame’s favorite. Michizame composed a beautiful poem about the ume blossoms in his garden when he left Kyoto for the last time, never to return.
When the spring east wind blows,
Ume plum trees,
Don't forget to bloom with scent,
Even without your master
 |
| A lot of Emas |
 |
| The annoucement: They passed the entrance exams! |
 |
| A tea ceremony in the garden |
 |
| Michizane rode on a cow and left Kyoto |
