When I went to Japan, spring was just spreading over the
island nation. Of course, Japan is probably most famous for its beautiful sakura, or cherry blossoms, that bloom
across the country like a pink wave. They begin as early as the end of January
in the far south, and finish as late as May in the northern island of Hokkaido.
In Akita, the cherry blossoms arrived in late April, just after I got there, as
if an earthquake-shattered Japan was donning her best kimono to distract me
from the shambles around her. Cherry blossoms bloom quite suddenly, with entire
trees bursting into cloud-like fluff seemingly overnight. Just as quickly as
they appear, they fade within a couple weeks, gently sprinkling their petals
over the ground like tears until they are spent and green leaves has taken
their place.
The Japanese love sakura
more than any other flower. It has been depicted in paintings, lauded in poems,
and glorified as the national flower. The sakura
mark the 100 yen coin. It is a popular girl’s name, Sakura have even been made into sweets. The blooming of the cherry
tree is both a happy and melancholic event. As the harbingers of spring, it
represents renewal, harmony, growth, and beauty. However, their rapid disappearance
carries symbols of death, impermanence, and letting go. This duality is a
common theme in the Japanese religion*, especially the Buddhist elements.
One of the positive associations with the sakura is the tradition of hanami, or flower viewing. “Flower
viewing” is a literal translation, although there is no real, concise English equivalent
that communicates the same concept. Hanami
is hanami. It is the tradition of
going out with family or friends to sit under the blooming cherry trees to
watch and appreciate their beauty. It is a chance to feel a sense of oneness
with nature. It is also a party, often including lots of drinking, picnic food,
and rowdy behavior.
The hanami has a
long history in Japan. Although records of the gatherings are found in Japan’s
first historical texts, such as the Nihon
Shoki, dating them as far back as the 3rd century, the tradition
is said to have really begun in the Nara Period (710-794), with its full form
and sakura-only focus beginning in
the Heian Period (794-1185). Like many beloved Japanese traditions, it began as
an activity for the wealthy and high class, and eventually found its way into
the hearts of the common folk. It is so firmly rooted in the culture that it is
enjoyed by nearly everyone in the nation, and news stations even have daily
reports in the spring to show exactly where the sakura are beginning to bloom. Schools take their students on hanami outings, families crowd the parks
with their children, eating obento
(packed lunches) beneath the shade, and friends gather together to drink and
enjoy the brief time of the cherry tree in full bloom. The tradition of hanami communicates the same sentiments
of the sakura, perhaps even more so.
It especially emphasizes the idea of “ichi
go, ichi e,” which means “One moment, one encounter.” English speakers may
be more familiar with the equivalent of “carpe
diem,” “seize the day,” or “live in
the moment.” The sakura are a brief
beauty, and the hanami is the best way
to enjoy them while they last. (http://thinkjapanblog.com/sakura-hanami-flower-viewing.html)
In a culture where many people are disregarding their
heritage and old traditions, hanami
and the love of sakura is one example
of a tradition that continues to remain strong even in the face of constant
technological development, busy work schedules, and endless distractions. Even
the most overloaded salary man, the busiest housewife, and the most absorbed
gaming or texting teen gather together to enjoy an afternoon of hanami. Hanami and sakura are the
essence of Japan and the Japanese people.
For someone from dry Colorado, the sheer number of cherry
trees and the culture surrounding them was completely astounding. I spent a lot
of time trying to take as many pictures and videos of the blooms as I could, always
aware of their ephemeral nature. I watched the gradual invasion of green with
apprehension, despairing at the scattering dead but still beautiful petals on
the ground.
I delighted at
discovering how many different kinds of cherry trees were on the AIU campus.
Below, you can see a small sampling I collected. The shapes are so beautiful
and distinct, and yet they all carry the same emotional symbolism. Someday, I will do a small, watercolor painting of this shot. According to
Japan-Guide.com, there are over 100 kinds of cherry trees in Japan. The
different kinds range in the number of petals, their general shape, the way
they hang on the tree, their color (white to bright pink, as well as yellow),
and the location and length of their blooming period. Some of them are wild,
but most of them are cultivated. I think the three below are called imose, soushunzakura, and akebono, from left to right. (Those are
only my guesses!) (http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~mainn/sakura/sakura.html)
The scattered trees around campus were beautiful, but there
is nothing like seeing dozens of trees clustered together. My trip to a town
called Kakunodate was the perfect chance to see that the beauty of sakura grows exponentially with each
additional tree.
Their splendor made
the rainy days of early spring as far from dreary as possible. And yet, I did
not feel the rumored sadness when the last petal fell. The lush green that had
replaced the pink was just as gorgeous. Perhaps I am not familiar enough with
their passing, or the intense heat of the Japanese summers, but I felt only
invigoration from the blooming of the sakura,
and the green summer with its new flowers continued the inspiration. I think I
focused on the symbolism of rebirth and somehow missed the melancholy meaning
of death. All I know is that the memory of those beautiful pink and white
clouds springs to my mind’s eye with ease, the feel of the petals lingers of my
fingertips, and the curious floral yet fruity taste of sakura ice cream still dances on my tongue. The sakura may be evanescent, but the
delight of my memories is constant.
Below are some of the best pictures of sakura I (or my boyfriend) took while in Japan.
(Me by the pinkest sakura I could find.)
(A pathway near the river at Kakunodate.)
(The white cherry blossoms lining the river. I wish it had been sunnier.)
(A set of three pictures from a particularly scenic rest area on a bus trip. Sakura under a blue sky are so beautiful!)
(Sakura petals on the ground.)
The background of my blog is another picture I took, up close. Can you spot the spider I also managed to photograph?
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*Many people distinguish between Shinto and Buddhism as
Japan’s major religions; however they have become so intricately linked over
the centuries that they are almost a single, uniquely Japanese religion.
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