Fukinoto - Arrival of the Spring

One of my friends in Japan sent me this picture. She said it was taken one month or so ago. It is called Fukinoto - bud of Fuki (bitter wild plant/vegetable Japanese eat). It starts growing early March to bring the spring to the dinner table. There are several ways to cook this, such as Tempra or Fuki-Miso (stayed and mixed with Miso, sugar and Sake).
There are several things we "feel" the spring, such as cherry blossom and bamboo shoot, but Fukinoto is one of them especially if you were grown up in a rural area like me.