桜
Sakura

桜 Cherry Blossoms:
A Symbol of Good Bye and Hello, Beauty and Transience
Cherry blossoms hold a very special place in Japanese culture and are widely celebrated in spring. These delicate flowers symbolize the fleeting nature of life and are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The ephemeral yet elegant beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms, which fall after about a week of full bloom, reminds us to cherish the present moment.
In Japan, graduation ceremonies held in late March, entrance ceremonies for schools in April, and the start of new jobs for new employees all coincide with cherry blossom season. This period of farewells and new beginnings aligns with the cherry blossom season, making the Japanese people particularly fond of Sakura.
Many cherry blossoms bloom facing downwards, allowing us to clearly see their faces when we look up. This might be one reason why people are so captivated by Sakura, as they generously display their beautiful flowers to us.

Historical and Cultural Importance
Historically, cherry blossoms were associated with the rice planting season. Farmers believed that the blooming of cherry blossoms signalled the start of the planting season, and they offered prayers for a good harvest to the cherry trees. This cultural tradition has continued to this day as “Hanami” (flower viewing), where friends, family, and colleagues gather under cherry blossom trees to enjoy picnics. Various cherry blossom festivals are also held across the country.

Cherry Blossom Weather Forecast
In Japan, there is a cherry blossom weather forecast, also known as “Sakura front” or “blooming forecast.” During this season, news programs include cherry blossom bloom predictions along with the weather forecast. Some people even travel from warm Okinawa to Hokkaido to follow the blooming Sakura over an extended period, aiming to enjoy the cherry blossoms for as long as possible.

Place to visit for Sakura
There are countless cherry blossom spots in Japan, but here are a few famous ones for sightseeing:

Kyoto Philosopher’s Path: Named after Kyoto University philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who used to walk and think along this path, it stretches about 2 kilometers from Ginkaku-ji Temple to Nanzen-ji Temple. The cherry blossom tunnel is a highlight, and the reflection of the cherry blossoms on the surface of the Lake and sometime filled with fallen petals on Biwa Canal is particularly beautiful.

Osaka Osaka Castle Park: About 3,000 cherry trees bloom against the backdrop of Osaka Castle.

Nara Mount Yoshino: Known for its magnificent scenery, with about 30,000 cherry trees covering the entire mountain. It is divided into four areas based on elevation: “Shimo-senbon” (lower thousand), “Naka-senbon” (middle thousand), “Kami-senbon” (upper thousand), and “Oku-senbon” (inner thousand). The Oku-senbon area is the highest and offers a serene and beautiful cherry blossom experience

There is an old saying in Japan, “a fool prunes Sakura, and a fool doesn’t prune Plum,” highlighting the delicate nature of cherry trees. In Japan, it is taboo to break off cherry branches and it’s best to gently admire these blossoms that live in the moment.

桜 別れと出会い　美しさと儚さの象徴
桜は、日本文化において非常に特別な存在であり、春になると大いに祝われます。これらの繊細な花は、人生の儚さを象徴しており、日本文化に深く根付いた概念です。満開から１週間ほどで散ってしまう日本の桜の儚くも潔いな美しさは、今を大切に生きることを思い出させてくれます。
日本において3月下旬に行われる卒業式、4月に始まる入学式や新社会人の就職など、この時期は別れと出会いの季節です。これが桜の季節と重なり、日本の人々は特に桜に心を寄せます。
桜は下を向いて花開くものが多く、桜に魅了されるのは私たちが見上げると花の顔がくっきりとみることができ、美しい花を惜しげなく見せてくれているからかもしれませんね。

歴史的および文化的重要性 歴史的に桜は稲作の季節と関連しており農民たちは、桜の開花が田植えの季節の始まりを告げると信じて、豊作を祈って桜の木に供え物をしました。この文化的は「花見」として今に続いており、友人・家族・同僚が桜の木の下に集まり、ピクニックを楽しみます。また各地で桜まつりが行われます。

桜の天気予報
日本には桜の天気予報、つまり「桜前線」や「開花予報」があり、この季節になるとニュース番組の天気予報で桜の開花予想も天気と一緒に伝えられます。満開後約１週間ほどで散ってしまう桜を長く楽しもうと、中には暖かい沖縄から出発して北海道まで長期間桜の開花を追うように観光しに行く人もいます。

桜の名所
数えきれないほどありますが観光として有名なものをいくつかあげますね。

京都
哲学の道: 京都大学の哲学者、西田幾多郎がこの道を散策しながら考え事をしていたことから哲学の道とつけられた道は銀閣寺から南禅寺まで続く約2キロの散策路で、桜のトンネルが楽しめます。道に沿って琵琶湖疏水が続いており、水面に映る桜の景色がとても美しく、散るころには疎水が花びらで埋め尽くされることもあります。

大阪
大阪城公園: 大阪城を背景に約3,000本の桜が咲き誇ります。

奈良
吉野山: 約30,000本の桜が山全体を覆い、壮大な景色が広がる桜の名所として知られており、「下千本」「中千本」「上千本」「奥千本」と、標高に応じて4つのエリアに分かれています。奥千本はその中でも最も標高が高く、静かで美しい桜を楽しむことができます。

昔からのことわざで「桜切る馬鹿、梅切らぬ馬鹿」とあり、繊細な植物です。桜を手折るのは日本ではタブーですので、今を一生懸命生きている桜はやさしく愛でてあげてくださいね。