#841 The Plum of Knowledge and the God of Learning

Well then, having successfully transformed the plum tree into a sacred tree of sorts, it’s time to report the fruits of my labor to the client.

To Sugawara no Michizane we go.

First off, I planted this now Yggdrasil-esque plum in the grounds of the otherworldly Tenmangu Shrine. Lo and behold, Michizane himself descended upon us.

“Kuooooooooooh! It’s done, isn’t ittttttttttt?!”

The client seems quite pleased with the finished product.

“Just feeling this holy aura tells me everything! This plum is undoubtedly a sacred tree! It rivals, even surpasses, Yggdrasil! Well done, Lord Saint! This brings me great satisfaction!”

“I’m glad it’s to your liking.”

We certainly went through a lot of trouble for that.

Well, even after making it to completion, my worries are far from being completely erased.

After all, what we ended up with is the Plum Tree of Knowledge.

The tree that merged with the plum was the Tree of Knowledge.

That should grant it a spirit of the highest caliber, comparable to Yggdrasil itself. 

But knowing what the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge have caused in tales of old, I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

The newly planted Plum Tree of Knowledge on the shrine grounds was a sight to behold, radiantly blooming even in winter.

Typically, plum trees bear white and red flowers. 

The white blossoms resemble falling snow on a moonlit night, while the red resembles blazing flames.

It wasn’t even the season for blooming, but it seems the tree spirit Onoko Ume was keen to show off, declaring, “It’s the grand unveiling, so let’s go all out-baiiiiiiiii!!!”

It’s impressive how a tree spirit can bring about full bloom out of season.

Such otherworldly splendor would surely be inspired and spontaneously compose a multitude of exquisite poems if the sophisticated literates of the Heian period were to witness it.

“Ah, the plum blossoms, oh plum blossoms, plum blossoms.”

Michizane himself recites a verse on the spot.

“You truly are a wonderful person, Lord Saint! The splendid plum tree that adorns the temple grounds is a sight to behold! Now, no one can nonsensically claim that cherry blossoms are more beautiful than this.”

“Let’s not be too provoking with our words.”

At least Michizane is delighted, which is a relief.

While the Plum Tree of Knowledge does have its concerns, simply admiring its beauty and blossoms seems harmless. 

A beautiful, innocuous tree.

I assume Michizane will mainly cherish its aesthetic value, with no issues arising...

“Let’s taste its fruit, shall we?”

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!”

But my prediction was immediately contradicted.

Eating the fruit?

The fruit from a plum tree like this?!

“Doesn’t Yggdrasil have leaves with special powers to cure all diseases? This sacred plum must have similar effects! If it’s as miraculous as it seems, surely the plums themselves must have some beneficial effects! I must verify this in person!!!”

Yes.

There are effects.

As the god of learning, his intuition and analysis are sharp. 

His rivalry with cherry blossoms seems to fuel a desire not only for aesthetic superiority but for practical benefits as well.

Well... 

As Michizane suspects or wishes, the spiritually transformed Plum Tree of Knowledge indeed bears fruits with mystical properties.

After all, the mythical tree it merged with has quite a history.

The Tree of Knowledge that Sensei summoned for fusion with the plum tree.

That tree is said to grow in a certain paradise.

The fruits borne by it are said to house wisdom akin to that of the gods, bestowing ultimate knowledge upon those who consume them.

According to legend, the first human couple’s consumption of these fruits incurred God’s wrath, leading to their exile from paradise.

So, wouldn’t the fruits produced by a plum tree fused with this Tree of Knowledge essentially be the fruits of knowledge themselves?

The Plum of Knowledge.

Normally, plums are known for making excellent umeboshi, a superb edible fruit.

Pickled with shiso leaves, turning bright red and deliciously sour. 

It’s a great, long-lasting food item.

You can even call it a quintessential Japanese delicacy.

But imagine if such a familiar and tasty item suddenly carried the potential to bestow god-level wisdom – that’d be quite the situation!!!

Although it’s said to have effects like fatigue recovery and digestion promotion, if it were to also include divine benefits, that would be too much to handle, right?! 

That would disrupt the balance of the world!

Imagine people in this world gaining knowledge as easily as popping fruit, knowledge that could get you kicked out of paradise the moment you eat it!

And speaking of plum fruits, they’re also enjoyed as wine when steeped in alcohol.

We’ve made plum wine on the farm before.

But what would happen if we used plums imbued with divine wisdom as the ingredient?

Wouldn’t that create a legendary new drink that you hear about in myths?!

If such a divine drink were to spread, it would cause quite an uproar!

That’s why I don’t want this Plum Tree of Knowledge to bear fruit!

“Leave it to me-bai! With my powers as a tree spirit, I can make it bear fruit right now-bai!!!”

Don’t do anything unnecessary!!!

But before I could stop the considerate tree spirit Onoko Ume, it quickly made the Plum Tree of Wisdom bear lush, green plums. 

And not just one.

It was laden with fruit.

“Wow! Impressive! Making umeboshi or plum wine takes time, so maybe I shall try making them into sweet preserves!”

“No, no, no, no, nooooooooooo!!!”

As expected of the god of learning, his insights into cooking are profound.

However, realizing the irreversible consequences if the fruit were actually eaten, I hastily intervened without regard for appearances.

I had no choice but to spill all the secrets of the wisdom plums.

Explanation begins…

...And ends.

“What, there was a man and a woman who were banished for eating this fruit?”

“Yes! Exactly that!!!”

I thought I could get by without revealing anything, but that was impossible.

The next best thing was to lay it all out.

“To think that gaining wisdom could lead to being banished from paradise… Indeed, with knowledge comes such a facet. The more you know, the more your world expands and the more refined your actions become. However, at the same time, the knowledgeable can grow arrogant, looking down on those with less as fools, creating unnecessary friction.”

Well, it’s a bit different from that…

“In my lifetime, I was also like that. Rich in poetic talent and versed in the learning of distant lands, I quickly rose in ranks, recognized for my scholarship. But my success earned the envy of less capable minds, leading to slander and, ultimately, my exile from the capital. Perhaps the very learning meant to save me instead cornered me.”

There seems to be a strange parallel here.

The first couple who ate the forbidden fruit and gained wisdom, only to be unable to stay in paradise...

And Sugawara no Michizane, who was resented by his peers for his brilliant rise and ultimately exiled from the capital.

In both cases, the knowledge they acquired led to their banishment from places they couldn’t bear to leave.

“…Was I the Adam of Japan?”

“No way.”

“Regardless, excessive intellect can be one’s downfall… That seems to be a universal truth, East or West. Hence, it might be wise to skillfully pare down the excess and adjust it just right…”

Michizane began to chant, “Mmmmmmmm…!” 

Whether it had any effect or not, the tree spirit Onoko Ume, who had possessed the plum tree, started…

“Ume! UmeEEEE!!!”

...writhing uncomfortably.

Gross.

“With this, the fruit’s power is altered, and eating it won’t grant the kind of wisdom that leads to mystical insights. Still, it will improve mental acuity, activate the brain, and enhance memory retention.”

So, eating it turns it into something like brain food?

The fruit of wisdom as a broad concept of brain food?

“Beautiful to behold! Delicious to eat and even makes you wiser! With so many advantages, my plums will surely not be defeated by mere cherry blossoms! Fuhahahaha!!!”

Michizane is exceptionally pleased with the outcome.

From my perspective, it’s great – whatever the variety, it’s wonderful to see beautiful flowers bloom and to feel the seasons change. Plus, both umeboshi and umeshu are delicious.

And now, adding the much-discussed brain food to the mix, it seems like the farm has gained another specialty.

— The Plum Tree of Knowledge.

— The Plums of Knowledge harvested from it.

These look like they’re going to be quite a hit...!