Nothing signals the arrival of spring more beautifully than Japanese cherry blossoms. These trees are famous around the world due to their breathtaking beauty, delicate petals and the way they engulf everything around them in an aura of serenity. And aside from their obvious aesthetical charms, cherry blossoms are also a key part of Japanese culture, history and identity. That’s why every year, when the cold has decreased and days begin to be warmer, Japan celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms and enjoys each second, since they know these wonderful sights are fleeting, because cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom for just over a week.
Today we’ll try to convey the most important traits of the cherry blossom season and explore its importance in the country’s culture and identity. How does the country prepare and celebrate this incredible phenomenon? Why is it so quintessentially Japanese? If you’re planning on visiting Japan during this time, we can assure you that you will not be disappointed! As a sneak peak, we’ll tell you that for many Japanese, the phenomenon of the blooming of cherry blossom trees represents human life, ephemerality and nobleness. Additionally, while the flowers are blooming, people hold hanami, “flower watching” parties that aren’t simply a way to enjoy the beauty in company, but are a key moment to connect with nature. Aren’t you excited about what we are about to discover? Let’s begin!
The cherry blossom season in Japan is one of the most spectacular natural phenomenons of the world.
What does sakura symbolize?
In Japan, cherry blossoms are known as sakura, and they symbolize life and death and beauty and violence. These contradictory meanings come from the fact that cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring and the promise of a new life, but at the same time, they have an extremely short lifespan that reminds all of us that life is fleeting. Originally, the blossoming of the trees were used to indicate the year’s harvest and sakura started embodying Shinto ideals such as hope and renewal, something that has become an integral part of its symbolism.
Depending on the period of Japan’s history, cherry blossoms have represented different things. For example, they once exemplified the life of samurais, believed to be brief but colorful. Precisely, the fallen cherry blossoms and petals symbolized the end of the samurai’s lives, which were lived through a strict moral code of respect, honor and discipline. On the other hand, depending on the folk religion, cherry blossoms are deeply interconnected with agriculture, and we can even understand the origin of “sakura” from this relation: sa referred to a rice paddy god, while kura meant “ a seat for a god”. Thus, the Japanese believed cherry blossoms were the home of the mountain deities that later transformed into gods of rice paddies. Because of these beliefs, people would go to the mountains and worship the cherry blossom trees every spring when they bloomed.
Cherry blossoms are known as sakura, and they symbolize life and death, beauty and violence.
Hanami:
As we mentioned in the introduction, Japan celebrates the blooming of cherry blossom trees through Hanami, which has been widely regarded as “flower viewing” parties. In fact, hanami is a ceremony that has its origins in the ancient practice of looking at the flowers. It may seem simple, but there’s a deep and meaningful background behind this practice. Hanami represents the appreciation for the fleeting beauty of nature and the reflection on the passing beauty of life; it is a very special moment to share with your loved ones, and an opportunity to contemplate and think about our lives.
Of course, the way hanami is perceived has widely changed across history, and today, even if its meaningful origin is recognized, hanami has also turned into a time of celebration, dance and music. Once the cherry blossom season begins in Japan, you’ll see lots of families, groups of friends and tourists scattered across the city’s parks and riverbanks enjoying a few drinks and delicious food beneath the trees. Music will be playing, you’ll hear plenty of laughter and the scene will be that of a festival. Obviously, one of the most iconic natural symbols of Japan needed the biggest and brightest celebration possible!
Hanami is way more than a flower watching party; it is a moment to reflect on the fleeting beauty of life and nature.
2024 Forecast:
Well, if this season is so important in the country (and it is so short!) It is only natural that there’s a forecast for when the season will begin and everyone pays close attention to it. The Japan Meteorological Corporation is in charge of releasing the predictions for each year’s cherry blossom season, indicating when it is expected to begin, when its peak will be and how long it is expected to be. Autumn 2023 had warmer temperatures, which meant a delay in the cold period that is crucial for the cherry blossom trees. Because of this, the bud development was pushed back by around a week. Nonetheless, for the rest of March it is expected that temperatures will be a little bit warmer than average, which will also expedite the growth stage. All in all, at least for Tokyo, cherry blossoms are predicted to start flowering in one week (March 23) and reach full bloom on March 30. Depending on which part of Japan you’re in, the dates may vary and the spectacle may begin a bit later. There are very special conditions for these delicate trees to bloom, so you have to carefully look at the predictions in order to be ready to take your blanket and get to the nearest park or riverbank to enjoy hanami.
These are the kinds of forecasts that people await eagerly to know when the flowers will bloom.
What did you think about this adventure? Aren’t you curious about the way Japan turns into a wonderful garden each spring? The explosion of colors in the streets, the refreshing fragrance wherever you go and the delicate sight of these petals is truly the experience of a lifetime. But remember, the existence of these trees goes way beyond some pretty scenery. It is related to the values, reflections and simply the way you want to live your life, recognizing how ephemeral it all is. This is a phenomenon that teaches us about the contradictions and beauty of life, and it invites us to accept it as it is and make the most of our time here.
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