It is thought that Omuro-zakura (御室桜) originated in Heian times.
The current cherry trees were planted in the early Edo period (江戸時代), shortly after Tokugawa Iemitsu (徳川家光 1604-51) helped rebuild the temple.

#仁和寺 #Ninnaji #御室桜 #omurozakura #sakura #Kyoto #京都

flowers in full bloom
the paths of Omuro
bustling with people
花盛り御室の路の人通り
-Dōkei (桐渓).

This poem seems rather apt. Just a few years ago the grounds would have been a checkerboard of picnic blankets, with drunken revelers napping on benches and children playing.

#桜 #omurozakura #cherryblossoms