Pure and elegant, sakura (or cherry blossoms) has long been an unseparated part of Japanese culture. The flowers symbolize the arrival of spring, marking the time for renewals after a winter sleep. Yet this beauty is short-lived. After their peaks around two weeks, the blossoms start to wither, leaving a carpet of pink blush…
Sakura (さくら) is the generic term for hundreds of types of Japanese cherry trees and their blossoms. The flowers usually bloom in April when the weather gets warmer. But in the southern regions, blossoming can begin as early as late March.
As warm weather progresses northward, the blooms reach Tokyo and Kyoto areas around early April before moving on to Hokkaido in early May. Depending on the varieties of cherry trees, the flowers boast different colors, ranging from pink-red, pale pink to pure white.
Sakura in Japanese Culture
Like Mount Fuji, sakura holds significant meanings in Japanese culture. Its sublime beauty has mesmerized people from all walks of life for centuries. From citizens, samurais to emperors, they all cherished the spectacular sight of cherry trees in bloom. These Asian flowers also inspired poets and artists who immortalized the blossoms in numerous masterpieces. Though there are many ways in which sakura is interpreted, most of which sing about its transient beauty.
Since the flower is very fragile, a spring rain or even a mild breeze can make the petals scatter. The brief life of the cherry blossoms reminds us of the ephemeral nature of life and of our mortality. In one instance, it’s full of life, blink twice and it could all be gone. Life is overwhelmingly beautiful but tragically short. That’s why every moment is precious and we should make the most of whatever time we have.
Facts about Cherry Blossoms
- Though being called “cherry blossom tree”, sakura doesn’t produce edible fruits. It’s an ornamental tree and belongs to the rose family, rosacea.
- 600 varieties of sakura can be found worldwide. Alone in Japan, there are more than 200 types.
- Despite its popularity, sakura has never been officially recognised as Japan’s national flower. In fact, the country doesn’t have one. Sakura shares the role de facto national flowers with the chrysanthemum as it’s the symbol of the Japanese royal family and government.
Myths related to Sakura
- The name sakura is associated with the deity Konohanasakuya-hime (also known as Sakuya-hime), literally translated as the “cherry blossom blooming princess”. She is the symbol of delicate earthly life. Legend said that each spring Sakuya-hime hovers low in the sky, waking the cherry trees up with her delicate breath.
- In the past, a fallen cherry blossom represented the sacrifice of a samurai. People believed that these flowers are the souls of the young warriors who lost their lives for the country. Admirable yet so short-lived.
- Jiu-roku-zakura (the Cherry tree of the Sixteenth day) is another story highlighting this sacrifice. It tells the relationship between a brave honourable samurai and a cherry tree grew on his lands for over a hundred years. When the tree started dying, the samurai (now became old) decided to transfer his life essence to save the tree on the 16th day of the month. Within one hour of the samurai’s sacrifice ritual, the tree began to blossom and continues to live even today. The cherry tree, therefore, harbours many spiritual meanings in the minds of many Japanese.
Not only are these photos beautiful, you wrote a really insightful post! Love it! I enjoyed reading it on the subway 😊
Your words made my day! Thank you 😀
Stunning aren’t they? So transient. I would love to visit Japan when they are in season, but it is too short and I may miss it altogether. I had no idea that there were so many species. Thanks for sharing. That tree in Koyasan is spectacular.
It’s surreal! When seeing that tree, I thought I was dreaming 🙂 I think travelling from South to North is an option to increase the chance of seeing the cherry blossoms. In this way, you can always see the trees in bloom. Even if you miss the bloom in one city, for example Osaka, you can try your luck at destinations like Koyasan. Due to its altitude and cool climate, the bloom might be delayed for several days.
Good advice Ken. This is what I did in the crimson leaves season and saw a lot more this way.
Ảnh của cậu đẹp thật. Tớ không thích hoa mà cũng thấy rung động nữa 😂
Thanks bạn! Mình cũng may mắn là gặp thời tiết đẹp. Chứ mưa một trận là hoa đi đường hoa, cây đi đường cây ngay 🙂
Ừ, nhưng mưa nhẹ mà gió bay bay thì cũng đẹp nhỉ (đấy là tưởng tượng vậy) 😂
Sẽ giống như trong anime luôn 😛
My first time seeing sakura was actually in Seoul which was about a year ago. I was lucky that despite the unseasonably cold weather, the flower bloomed in earnest when I was there. I should plan a trip to Japan around this time of the year one day in the future to see those flowers in the land where they hold such a great cultural significance. Thanks for the insights!
My pleasure! 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous post. I love Your photos, but also inside information on Your post. In Helsinki, we have to wait until to May, when we have Hanami. It is not so beautiful, than in Your post, but it is popular in Finland.
Hanami in Helsinki
Have a wonderful day!
Thank you! I’m glad that you like the post 😀
Thank you for showing beautiful views of my country. I enjoy your photography and writing very much 🙂
You are so kind! Thank you 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. Your post only served to make us want to visit Japan more; although we’ll have to wait until next year to catch the cherry blossoms.
Thank you! In term of weather, spring is also the best time to visit Japan. The only thing that you need to take into consideration is the crowd 😉
These blossoms remind me of the blossoms in the National Cemetery in Seoul. Beautifully captured. Never visited Japan during Sakura. Looks gorgeous! 🙂
Oh that’s new to me! I have seen cherry blossoms in gardens, in palaces, on the streets. But I have never heard about planting cherry blossoms in a cemetery. Did you write a post about it?
But… it somehow makes sense. Each cherry blossom represents a life. And when it falls, a life is lost. So it’s quite fit for the cemetery 🙂
Yep! I wrote a combined post last year. I went crazy trying to catch cherry blossoms all across Seoul. 🙂
Found it! Two very comprehensive post. I already bookmarked it for future use 🙂
Thank you, Len! I hope you visit these hidden gems in Korea! It’s often not very easy to travel around and that’s why I try to write as much information as possible. 🙂
A very insightful and informative post, Len – and beautiful photography of these delicate flowerings! I also love the old myths about the trees – the Japanese are experts in beauty. I have always dreamed of visiting Japan in Spring – but haven’t got there yet.. My whole family has been to Japan, and some several times. Now my heart beats even more to go! Thank you for participating today.
My pleasure! It’s a great topic. Fits perfectly to spring 🙂
😀
Wow beautiful photos!
Many thanks 😀
Lovely photos and post, such a shame we are locked down 🙁
Yeah, sadly! At least the lockdown proves to be effective. But I really hope it doesn’t last long 🙁