Harvesting of plum fruits begins at Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto
At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, which is known as a famous place for plum blossoms, the harvest of plum fruits used for the New Year's lucky charm "Ofukuume" began on the 5th.
At Kitano Tenmangu in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, there are about 1,500 plum trees that are said to have been liked by the god of learning, Michizane Sugawara.
Ume fruit was used for the lucky charm "Daifuku Ume," which is said to be healthy for a year if you drink it in hot water or tea on New Year's Day, and harvest began on the 5th.
Miko in masks and priesthood, about 20 people used a stepladder to carefully pick the fruits one by one.
The harvested fruits are salted until the end of the rainy season, then dried in the sun for about a month to be dyed red and distributed to worshipers at the end of the year.
According to Kitano Tenmangu, the harvest takes about 1 week to 10 days, and this is expected to be about 2 tons, which is about the same level as normal.
Ms. Yuka Ito, who took the picks, said, "The new coronavirus has reduced the number of people who can come to worship. We have harvested while praying for longevity and happiness. I pray that I can spend it."