The red maple leaves of autumn were classified as flowers for purposes of visual enjoyment, the fall equivalent of the cherry blossoms of spring. As in the case of other flowering trees, certain spots in the city were considered to have especially fine views of the seasonal spectacle. The most famous site for maple leaves was the grounds of the temple Kaian-ji, high on a hill overlooking Edo Bay, with blue water and sky forming a background for the red leaves.

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