Spring is just around the corner!

　It is almost the end of February, and the cold wave has caused heavy snow damage in many areas, especially on the Sea of Japan side. Here in Nara, too, snow began to fall in flurries the day before yesterday and yesterday. It is still very cold here in Nara.　However, the sunrise this morning seemed to be more vigorous, and the sunlight was stronger. In the garden of Kissakoan, the buds of the plum blossoms are swelling up and blooming soon, and if you look carefully at the ground in the garden, you can see pretty butterbur sprouts – a little later than usual, but I can count a few of them. Spring is almost here, isn’t it?