Cherry blossoms, or Sakura, refer to the flowers of ornamental cherry trees. These differ markedly from regular cherry trees, which produce a fruit more palatable to humans.
Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Culture
Hanami
In Japan, the ancient tradition of enjoying the beautiful but ephemeral cherry blossoms is called hanami, which means “flower viewing.” This tradition dates back to the mid-700s in Japan and was originally practiced only by the royalty. It was soon popularized and spread to the samurai class and the common people. Due to the importance of Hanami within society, it is often referenced within the art forms of Waka and Haikus.
Today, during Sakura season, people arrive early to secure their spots beneath the ornamental cherry trees and frequently celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues through meals and drinks. These gatherings often extend into the night, known as yozakura, which means “night Sakura.”
The bloom begins in Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost part of Japan, and gradually progresses northward, reaching Hokkaido by mid to late April.
Symbolism
Cherry blossoms are a frequent topic in waka composition, where they commonly symbolize impermanence. Since cherry blossoms bloom en masse and then fall, they serve as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. This metaphor is further supported by the Japanese language idiom Mono no Aware.
Nationalism
The best blossom is the cherry blossom, the best man is a warrior
Cherry blossoms are often used by the Japanese government to inspire citizens to join the Japanese war effort and to foster general nationalism and civic pride among the Japanese people.
This knowledge was largely developed for my project, Flow, which documents my time in Japan. Check out Flow at https://apurvashah.org/projects