Sakura and Hanami: The Basics

Sakura leading into ICU. The former landing
strip that extends all the way up to campus was
lined with sakura blossoms and is a fantastic
place to hold hanami with your friends.

So many sakura!

Hopefully you aren't shocked to hear that sakura (cherry blossoms) are important to the Japanese. Not only are they one of the nation's most frequently used flowers, "Sakura" is a popular name for girls (I met one this morning actually) and they are highly symbolic in especially prose and pop-culture, cherry trees are also used as signs of good will, referenced in martial arts. Since the petals are so delicate that they only last for a week or so, their main meaning is to appreciate beauty in this instant because no things are permanent or perfect. The fall of these petals is seen as the death of the blossom, but even their graceful flutter downward is an artistic motif see in many aspects of Japanese culture.  Am I being a bit too vague? How about I put these into specific examples.

A musical group and singer set up near the
hanami in a park in Asakusa. I was attracted
by the sound of the accordion!

Nationalism: The Japanese people have rallied behind the sakura blossom so strongly that they would plant cherry trees on newly conquered territory to show it had been assimilated into the empire. Even now, sakura trees are sent abroad as gifts of goodwill (a distinctly Japanese item living and thriving under the protection of the ally country).

Sakura trees (left) and sakura decorations (right) on the
way to the main temple in Asakusa, Tokyo.

Samurai and kamikaze pilots: Romantically likened to the sakura flowers, these warriors lived short but beautiful lives dedicated to the practice and perfection in the case of the samurai, and culminating in a single moment of glory/tragic fall. Curious for a visual aide in this? Why not look at the Hollywood hit Last Samurai where the lead samurai is searching for the ultimate sakura tree. *Spoiler alert* He eventually finds this tree on the battle field as he lay dying with his fellow samurai and declares that the flowers on the tree he see are "perfect, they are all perfect."

Groups of people and their blankets in hanami.

Many blossoms this year were white and the
petals had already started to fall by the
time I arrived to Tokyo.

Buddhism: Stressing the transient and impermanence of all things, Buddhism is known for using the changing nature of everything as a tool to understand our own fragility. However, that does not mean we should not care for the world because it will all end, but rather appreciate what is within the now but remember that it will not last forever. Wikipedia actually had an excellent description of this theme. "Mono no aware (もののあわれ), literally "the pathos of things," and also translated as "an empathy toward things," or "a sensitivity to ephemera," is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence, or transience of things, and a gentle sadness (or wistfulness) at their passing." That being said, we can apply the same reverence we hold toward the sakura to other forms of beauty, art, people, or events.

This tree has different shades of pink and
white blossoms (found near Musashi-sakae).

Spring: Not all of the sakura symbolism is bittersweet. Since they bloom just at the beginning of spring (the start of the Japanese school year) they also carry with them a sense of starting fresh. The life of the flowers brings the idea of new chances and growth, and when they fall, the trees are ready for the rest of spring and summer, just like the people who stand beneath them.

All these things aside, they are just flat out lovely. The end.

Sakura come in several varieties and shades (those of white or pink, but some can even be yellow) and usually start to bloom in April just in time for the school year to begin. That is why when I left in March last year, one thing I lamented was not being able to see the sakura bloom along the famous former runway of my university. I some of the inverted varieties near the library, but that was all. However, Japan like many other places in the world has been experiencing some unusual weather. There was a strangely warm period followed by a suddenly colder period, which kind of confused the flowers and caused them to come out over two weeks early. Many of the trees will probably loose all of their petals before school starts. And one of the most beloved group activities had to be moved early, too: Hanami.

Sakura in the main circle of ICU.

These silly sakura are growing from an
exposed tree root on the other side
of the walkway from the tree. The tree had
white blossoms, but these were pink!

Hanami is literally "flower viewing" and is what happens when friends and coworker gather beneath a sakura tree in full bloom to enjoy not only the flowers but also each other's company. Usually the food and drink are so good that people forget to gaze at the sakura up above. But during sakura season pretty much all of Japan goes on a picnic with the parks and sakura spots filling up after work and school lets out. With the early bloom of sakura, some groups are rescheduling their hanami (which they had originally planned for April) and Rei was kind enough to invite me to one for a bit. When we were walking in Asakusa, Kai and I came across quite a few hanami in one of the parks. I plan on being here next year, so maybe I'll organize one of my own to view the sakura and the ocean. I'll let you know how that turns out!

Sakura decorations in the local supermarket in
Musashi-sakae near ICU.

*Side note*: public drinking is totally fine in Japan, so these picnics under the trees can become more rambunctious rather than the natural art gallery viewing. If you can, I honestly suggest attending a hanami, but remember to bring a blanket as the Japanese feel sitting on the ground or grass is too dirty. HOWEVER, don't walk on the blanket. Take your shoes off before putting your feet on it.