Now I like to go to hanami with a few of my close friends just to enjoy the cherry blossoms, but if I go with a lot of friends or a group of colleagues, it mostly means having a party with lots of eating and drinking. Magickal Spot is a witchcraft site dedicated to offering magical education, and we do this thorough explanation of the craft and its many nuances. When do cherry blossoms flower in Japan? Spring has arrived! In Hokkaido, cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom in May. Much more than just a flower, it's part of an age-old philosophy and today, the emblem of an entire nation. Find out how by becoming a Patron. The Cherry whose scientific name is Prunus avium is a tree which belongs to the Rosaceae family, originating in Europe. Photo by Maki Matsuda. Poetic and philosophical, the cherry blossom is also a very important symbol of the identity of Japan. But if there's one celebration you're particularly eager to attend, you can research the dates of when the festival took place over the past five to 10 years. Their life is very short. Hanami literally means "viewing flowers," but it generally indicates cherry blossom viewing. Cherry Blossom Tattoo Meaning in Japan. Hiroshige, ‘Cherry Blossom Time, Yoshiwara Nakanochō' (ca. During the Second World War, the cherry blossom became a symbol of hope and comfort to motivate the country. Originally chosen to set the country apart from China, whose emblem was the plum blossom, the cherry blossom has since been used throughout Japanese history. Gorgeous flowers are the main attraction at the cherry blossom festivals, but there are a variety of traditional Japanese performances presented during these festivals. In the 8th century, during Japan's Nara period, upper class individuals began hosting picnic-like parties beneath plum, or ume, trees. Its flowers, called sakura, recall purity and renewal. No one in history personified this metaphor more than the samurai, the warriors of feudal Japan who lived by, During World War II, cherry blossoms took on a similar meaning for Japanese pilots who painted their kamikaze warplanes with the flower imagery before embarking on suicide missions to “, Ultimately, the meaning of cherry blossoms teaches the Japanese they, Tips to Take Your Mobile Photography From Ordinary to Extraordinary, die like beautiful falling cherry petals for the emperor, The Ethics of Riding an Elephant in Thailand, The Meaning of Cherry Blossoms in Japan: Life, Death and Renewal, Great Canadian Road Trip: Nanaimo to Tofino. The blossoms announce the start of the new school year and the coming spring and are a symbol of renewal and future happiness. Its arrival is reliably commemorated in a number of fantastic fetes across the country, with Okinawa, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Hirosaki among the most popular hosts. In this sense, hanami reminds us that life is short and that we must make the most of it. 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Cherry blossoms ("sakura") are a national symbol and treasure of Japan. Now that cherry blossom season is here, you can say: “The season of sakura is coming! This spring the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 102-year anniversary of the gift of sakura. Similarly, cherry blossoms represent renewal. What Are Cherry Blossoms? It is the party that celebrates the ritual of observing flowers. We feel like the fully bloomed cherry blossoms are celebrating and welcoming our brand-new start. There is an old story attached to this tree that values sacrifice. Cherry Blossom Meaning in Japan. Indeed, although the cherry blossoms are admired when they are still beautiful and in bloom with all their petals, they bloom and fade in record time before the eyes of those who contemplate them. The cherry blossom remains the most significant flower in contemporary Japanese culture. The cherry blossoms usually appear in Tokyo and Kyoto sometime between March and April, depending upon the climate earlier in the year. Even at night, viewing spots are crowded with people enjoying the blossoms in a beautiful, romantic atmosphere. Since the Nara period (710-794), it has been a symbol of the Japanese government. The link to mortality is extremely symbolic and shows the fragility of life. Based on the philosophy of mono no aware, appreciating the beauty of ephemeral things, hanami is an activity that encourages introspection. In the ancient Japanese tradition, this represented the abundant harvest of rice in the months following the spring. The capital city is host to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. In Japan, the JWA (Japan Weather Association), the Weather Map Co., Ltd, and the Weathernews Inc. announce cherry blossom forecasts every spring. The bark, purple-brown in color, appears smooth while the leaves are alternate, ovoid in shape and measure from 7 to 14 cm. That said, do not expect to see the flowers wherever you go, the trees bloom at different times throughout Japan. It's also fun to patronize festival vendors who sell various foods and souvenirs, such as regional crafts and specialty food from the region. While unseasonably warm weather can prompt a premature bloom and uncharacteristically cool temperatures can conversely cause a delay, blossoms typically reach their peaks between March and mid-April, making this a prime time for hanami. Photo: kazuend via Unsplash Commons Public Domain). Let’s learn more about Japanese cherry blossom symbolism, spiritual meaning, and uses. The infused peduncles perform a diuretic action and are recommended in renal insufficiency, hyperuricemia, lower urinary tract infections and in edema. April is a very important period in the life of every young Japanese. Japan's samurai culture admired the cherry blossom due to their short-lived lives and also used them as a representation of blood drops. April, as mentioned above, is indeed a very important moment, especially for young people, because for many the end of school symbolizes entry into the adult world and thus the beginning of a new life. This is the special Japanese phrase for when rain falls on the cherry blossoms - an incredibly beautiful sight. The 口 in 咲 indicates an open mouth. The cherry blossom is also a sign of wealth and good luck. As our patron, you’ll become a member and join us in our effort to support the arts. Sakura True Meaning. Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Show is represented by the fall of the flowers. The cherry tree inspired an ambivalent symbolism. Erina Takeda was an intern at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage working on fundraising research. Even today, a tea with cherry blossoms is prepared on the day of the wedding and given to the bride and groom as a wish for happiness and long life. Whether in the form of metaphors in political speeches or painted on kamikaze planes, the sakura was everywhere and carried the hopes of a whole nation. Often cherry blossom petals dance in the spring wind, which from a distance can look like a storm of pink petals! Hanami is not a celebration with sad tones (given the observation of the catura of flowers), but a moment of great celebration for the Japanese. In addition to the beauty of its pale pink petals and its prevalence in Japan, the blossom is known for its distinctively short lifespan. The 木 (ki) on the left side means tree/wood and developed from a pictogram of a tree, with the horizontal line as branches and diagonal lines as roots. Because cherry blossoms are beautiful and fleeting—the blooms often last no more than two weeks—they have become symbolic of the impermanence of beauty. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our, Shizuko Mishima is a life-long resident of Japan and author of "The Sushi Kit.". Sakura is derived from saku 咲, which means to bloom, or alternately to smile/laugh. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10Best, Michelin Guide, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Jetsetter. Smaller celebrations can be enjoyed throughout the U.S. and Europe. He added, “Simply put, the cherry blossom originated in China and flourished in Japan. The decoction of the cortex calms stress and insomnia. Receive our Weekly Newsletter. Poetic and philosophical, the cherry blossom is also a very important symbol of the identity of Japan. Photo by Erina Takeda, The exquisite beauty of cherry blossoms only occurs for a few weeks from the end of March to the beginning of April. Sakura-fubuki (桜吹雪) - this means “cherry blossom snowstorm”. In Japan, this tradition is called Hanami, and although it used to only be reserved for royalty and courtiers, over the centuries it has become something that all people can enjoy. My mom packed a special lunch box, hanami bento, full of our favorite foods. See also: Cherry blossom season: when to go? This is the Japanese character for sakura. Much like the blossom itself, each festival functions as both a springtime celebration and as a reminder to stop and smell—or view—the flowers. However, it's really difficult to predict cherry blossom dates in advance, so planning a trip in advance is tough. My father was in charge of securing a good place for us at the famous park by placing a blanket under the cherry trees in the early morning. These trees are also called somei-yoshino trees or yedoensis in botanical circles. Its lovely flowers, which can be seen in all their beauty in April, vary from white to bright pink. As one of its national flowers, the cherry blossom— or sakura—holds a special place in Japanese culture. Though the custom of hanami is typically linked to cherry blossoms today, it is rooted in the appreciation of a different flowering plant: the plum blossom. The most popular kind of Japanese cherry tree, sakura, can be found all over the country. Sacred to Venus, the cherry is used to attract love: it would be enough to tie a lock of one’s hair to a branch of the flowering tree. Cherry blossoms can symbolize how transient life is and how beautiful things ultimately pass away. Here are cherry blossom and butterfly tattoo. Hiroshige, ‘Cherry-Blossom Viewing at Asuka Hill' (ca. After school, he will have to confront and face the world of work or university. Observation of the show pushes the Japanese to reflect on the ephemeral value of life. The tradition of Japan's cherry blossom festival, hanami, appeared during the Heian period (794-1185). Support the Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, sustainability projects, educational outreach, and more. Want to advertise with us? Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use), Living traditions of, by, and for the people, Cherry blossoms in Arashiyama, outside of Kyoto, Japan. You might want to consider joining a tea ceremony held under the cherry trees; it can be quite the memorable experience. The blossom of the Japanese Cherry, also known as the Prunus serrulata, is technically the sakura flower.