Prior to "Baikasai," or plum blossom festival, on February 25, a photo exhibition titled "Baikasai to Tenjinsama Konjaku Shashinten," or plum blossom festival and Tenjinsama past and present, is now being held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. "Tenjinsama" is the nickname for Sugawara no Michizane, the shrine deity who is said to have died on the 25th of February and loved plum blossoms very much.

A total of 70 panels, measuring approximately 70 centimeters in height and 1 meter in width, have been placed in "Emaden" to introduce last year's festival and tea party, as well as scenes such as the shrine precincts' appearance 100 years ago and the town and streets on which streetcars were still running.

Also shown is a photo of "Baika no Goku," an offering to the altar during a ritual which visitors are never allowed to see. "O-ban" and "Koban," or steamed rice heaped up on large and small-sized bowls, and "Kodate" or rolled paper containing brown rice and small plum branches with red and white blossoms stuck onto the rice, can be seen very clearly. The photo exhibition continues till March 21.