Cherry Blossom Trees
One of the most beautiful and interesting symbols of Japan is the Cherry Blossom trees, which also go by the name of sakura. Every spring, Japan is scattered with beautiful pink and white blossoms spanning across the country. Sakura is not only known for its beauty and short yet beautiful blooming season and ends with each blossom falling to the ground but also the Japanese compare the similarity between the nature of the blossoming tree and human life in general with the natural rise and fall of human life.
Along with being observed as a symbol of life it is also believed to have a deep connection to Buddhism, according to the dhama, the tree was associated with the concept of mono no aware, ever since the 18th century. Mono no aware means “a sensitivity to things,” which is a concept of the nature of Japanese culture.
Not only do the Sakura trees produce brilliant colors and beauty, but they also produce the fruit of cherry, which also goes by the name sakuranbo in Japan. This fruit actually comes from another species of the tree. The Japanese cherry blossom tree is a native to the island as well as other Asian countries including China, Korea and India. Japan alone has over 200 species of the cherry blossom tree.
The peak bloom date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry trees are open which varies from year to year depending on the weather conditions. The blooming period starts in the South and eventually moves north to cover the entire nation. Nightly forecasts follow the weather segment of news programs. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in February and usually reaches Tokyo around the end of March or the beginning of April, depending on the weather conditions.
Every spring the entire city of Tokyo come together to celebrate the peak sakura bloom at the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Japanese spend a lot of time enjoying the cherry blossom season; they will go to parks and temples to celebrate the beauty by holding a flower viewing party known as a hanami.
In the United States, the plantings of cherry trees originated in 1912 when the people of Japan gave the United States 3000 trees to celebrate growing friendship between to the people of the United States and the people of Japan. Ever since then cherry blossoms have lined the shore of Tidal Basin in Washington DC. The cherry blossoms are still a popular tourist attraction today when they reach full bloom in early spring. The National Cherry Blossom festival held in Washington, DC is much like the Cherry Blossom festival held by the Japanese. The first National Cherry Blossom Festival was held in 1935 to celebrate the continued friendship between the United States and Japan.
Not only is the cherry blossom tree a symbol of life but it also depicts the changing of season, from winter to spring. Cherry Blossom trees will always stand for so much more than meets the eye and with them being indigenes to the country of Japan, they will always be a huge part of the natives lives.
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