Inner Gardens Tōkyō Imperial Palace 皇居

Final impressions in B&W of the inner gardens at the Imperial Palace. Bamboo, one of my favorite plants, a perennial evergreen in the true grass family, they are a joy to photograph as well as employ in various ways. Bamboo make a lovely sound as the wind passes through a grove of them, the timber is beautiful and sustainable, they have delicious roots, make good fiber for clothing and in general (in my opinion) create a serene atmosphere. Also, the Ume (plum tree) are beginning to bloom in the warmer parts of Japan including Tōkyō, Ōsaka and Kōbe acting as messengers with news that spring is starting to push through the strong grasp of winter.