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Every autumn in Japan, a special kind of tree begins to bloom around October.

I first noticed the smell in the air soon after I came to Japan, and thought it was the smell of fabric softener. I couldn’t figure out what it was, but thought maybe it was coming from someone’s house.

I started to notice this mysterious, intoxicating fragrance everywhere. Finally, I realized it was coming from these fantastically orange-flowered trees. Osmanthus Fragrans, or “Sweet Olive.”

A sweet olive tree by my house.

The smell of these flowers carries very far, hence the “fragrans” in the name. When I smell this fragrance, I know that the beautiful oranges of October—the persimmons, the various orange berries, and the Osmanthus Fragrans blossoms—have arrived.

Just another reason fall is one of my favorite times of year.

To learn more about this wonderful shrub/tree, and about it’s historical significance in Asia, the wikipedia article is an excellent resource.

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~KafkA

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Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)