Japanese Cherry Blossoms...🌸

“Break open a cherry tree and there are no flowers; but the spring breeze brings forth myriad blossoms.”

- Ikkyu (1394 – 1481)

About the Japanese Cherry Blossoms...

Japan, also known as the "land of the rising sun" is the home to many mesmerizingly beautiful cherry blossom trees, which bloom depending on their variety between March and May. We could say that they are a national obsession for the Japanese (besides, who wouldn't be obbessed?), since every spring they begin to decorate their shops in the colors of the flowers of these trees, include in their menus sakura-flavored drinks and delicacies and organize various festivals and picnic excursions in their spare time to admire the beauty of these so delicate flowers. This habit-activity is known as "hanami", which translates in english as "flower viewing".

The significance of these flowers and the reason why they hold such an important place in Japanese culture...

The cherry blossoms, despite their beauty, hide a very bittersweet meaning that is often forgotten by people. So, they look like clouds as they bloom all together and wrap the trees in a dense fog. But suddenly - like the clouds - one day they disappear. In this way they've come to symbolize the ephemerality or transient nature of life. This reflects a Buddhist concept in Japanese culture known as “mono no aware,” or roughly, “the pathos of things,” which recognizes both the beauty and mortality inherent in life.

In addition, for the Japanese the period during which the cherries bloom is also the period of the end of the school year and the integration of the graduates in the real society, thus connecting the cherries with the feeling of nostalgia for many Japanese.

More Photographs...

Although I think I would prefer to see them up close!

Disclaimer: Of course, the photos do not belong to me, as I have not yet visited Japan. You can find them on instagram, specifically on the accounts of all these talented photographers who helped us admire the beauty of the sakuras.