We Japanese people like to see nature all year around.  In spring, we enjoy looking at cherry blassoms holding party with our friends, family, and colleagues under the trees.  The beauty of green leaves in summer lets us forget the hot weather temporally.  There are lots of leaves changing their various kinds of colors, brilliant red, bright yellow, and dark purple moves our mind profoundly in autumn. Woodland scenary decorated with snow is also breathtaking.  There are lots of important plants including trees, vagetables, and flowers in Japan.  But the first on my list is ume or Japanese apricot because of its closeness to our culture.

 

  Firstly, ume is special tree for Japanese people since it blossom earliest in a year, in mid-January. In short, this ume blossom tells us spring will come soon.  Actually, we still have to spend cold season for about two months even after we see its blossoms come out.  However, we are grad to feel nearly-coming spring atmosphere from the blossoms.

 

  Secondly, ume is an ingredient of Japanese traditional deli.  It is a kind of pickled vegetable named "umeboshi" in Japanese. Umeboshi is very useful and delicious food so that it is not only eaten simply but also used an ingredient of other Japanese food.  Thus, many of Japanese people have "umeboshi" everyday.  Moreover, pickled Japanese apricot is very advantageous for health.  Its sour taste prevent foods from being rotten, stimulates our appetite and reduces our physical fatigue.  In this way, ume is very useful in terms of Japanese food.

 

  Last but not least,  ume tree is the object of faith in Japan. Ume blossoms are known to be loved by ancient famous scholar and statesman, Michizane Sugawara.  Thanks to his intelligence, there are lots of shrines dedicating him.  Ume associated with the famous great person is also dedicated.  We Japanese especially those who have to take important examination like entrance exam go to those shrines. Therefore, we see ume blossoms with owe.

 

  Ume, Japanese apricot is very important because it has very close relationship with Japanese traditional customs. That is why I would like to mention this tree as the most important plant in my country.