The rain goes by many names at this time of year...
🌧️Saikau (催花雨) = spring rain that hastens the blooming of flowers
🌧️Kokū (穀雨 April 20ish) = "grain rain"
🌧️Zuiu (瑞雨) = rain that helps grain crops sprout
🌧️Kanu (甘雨) = rain that falls at the right time to moisten plants
Maple leaves are famously celebrated at the end of their short life, when they bow out in spectacular yellows and reds...but their appearance in Kyōto is also cause for cheer.
Shinryoku (新緑 'new green') describes this period of dazzling fresh leaves (and is not limited to maple trees).
Young maple leaves at Gio-ji.
Irises bloom at Ota-jinja.
A heron hides amongst the startling fresh leaves at Eikan-do.
Wearing a green kimono, Atsuko-san all but vanishes amongst bamboo.