Daigo of the flowers

The cherry trees of Daigo-ji, a temple in the south-east of Kyoto, have been famous for centuries.

There are about a thousand sakura trees on the grounds of the temple but the weeping cherries are probably the most well known.

The other varieties are worth a look too.

In April 1598, warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a flower-viewing party at the temple. Hideyoshi, remembered best for unifying Japan in the 16th century, liked bright colours, gold leaf and things done on a grand scale. His hanami involved 1,300 guests, 700 sakura trees brought in from surrounding areas, tea pavilions built for the occasion and musicians to provide entertainment. On the second Sunday of April, what would be Hideyoshi's last hanami is recreated at Daigo-ji. The man playing Hideyoshi gets to ride in a palanquin (above) borne by attendants in white.

A dance performed for the latter-day Hideyoshi and his entourage.

There was a mock fight too by actors from the Eigamura film park.

And a monk busy taking photos.

The final performance was a dance by girls from a nearby primary school. They had sakura in the patterns of their kimono and in their hands.

One of the dancers.

Her smile looked like this.

One last look before going.