At that time, nobles thought with contempt that Ezo (northerners) in Oshu never knew any name of flowers,showed him an ume (Japanese plum) flower and asked insultingly what it is.
その際、奥州の蝦夷は花の名など知らぬだろうと侮蔑した貴族が、ウメの花を見せて何かと嘲笑した。