When Japanese hear the word “flower,” they think of cherry blossoms (Sakura) immediately.

Why do Japanese love Sakura so much?

This time, I would like to introduce you to the symbol of Japan, Sakura, and the Japanese words related to it.

After a long winter with cold northerly winds, spring finally comes as the weather gradually warms up. Sakura begin to bloom just when Japanese people feel “Spring has come” excitingly. The flower is light pink and pretty. And the entire tree is covered in light pink and shines brightly because it becomes in full bloom before the leaves come out.

So, as the harsh cold loosened its grip and the weather warms up a little, everyone is looking forward to Sakura to bloom.

Japan is a long island stretching from southwest to northeast, so the time when the cherry blossoms bloom differs by more than a month from place to place. The blooming time is called “Sakura Zensen(桜前線):The advance of the cherry blossoms across Japan.” It is reported daily in weather forecasts and on the news. And we have the words to express the degree of Sakura blooming such as “Sanbu zaki (三分咲き): The flowers are still one-third in bloom.,” “Gobu zaki (五分咲き):half in bloom,” “Shichibu zaki (七分咲き):70% in bloom,” and “Mankai (満開):in full bloom.” Hearing these words, Japanese people are full of hope. Even Japan Meteorological Agency which is one of the Japanese government institutions declare “Kaika Sengen (開花宣言): declaration of flowering of Sakura”

“Hanami (花見): Cherry Blossom viewing party” is, of course, to go to see Sakura, but Japanese people also love to enjoy eating dishes, drinking and singing songs with people under “Sakura Namiki (桜並木):line of Sakura trees” in full bloom. Such Sakura viewing spots are everywhere in Japan.

Other countries also have some Sakura viewing spots such as along the Potomac River in Washington DC, the US and the King’s Garden in Stockholm, Sweden. In Beijing, China, Yuyuantan Park is also planted with a lot of Sakura trees and I often went there to enjoy Sakura with students majoring in Japanese. These Sakura were presented by Japan as a symbol of friendship. They have taken roots there and been loved by people.

In Japanese literature, there is a genre which is a classic Japanese poem composed in 31 letters. Sakura have been composed in it since ancient times. The famous 9th century poet, Narihira Ariwara (在原業平) composed this poem, 

  世の中に 絶えて桜のなかりせば　春の心は のどけからまし

Yononakani Taetesakurano Nakariseba Harunokokorowa Nodokekaramashi

It means that the spring of this world without Sakura is so peaceful. It expresses that Japanese people feel nervous when they hear, “Sakura blooms here today” or “Sakura will bloom there tomorrow.”

However, Sakura everyone has waited for, bloom all at once and then quickly fall. Sakura blooming season is just the period of heavy rain and wind in Japan and Sakura blossoms in full bloom begin to fall within three days. We have a word, “Hanafubuki (花吹雪): a shower of cherry blossoms,” which describes Sakura petals dancing in the wind like a snowstorm. And then, many petals fall to the ground like a carpet. It is called “Hanamushiro (花筵): figured mat.” Or many petals floating on the water surface is called “Hanaikada (花筏): cherry blossom flower raft.” From these words, we can know that Japanese people love for the short life of Sakura.

As the same era as Narihira of poet, Sosei Houshi (素性法師) composed this poem,

花散らす 風の宿りは たれか知る　我に教えよ 行きて怨みむ

Hanachirasu Kazenoyadoriwa Tarekashiru Warenioshieyo Ikiteuramin

Do you know the habitat of wind which tosses a pile of petals in the air? If someone told me, I would complain about the wind. I have a grudge to wind.

The sight of light pink petals falling from the branches of Sakura trees in full bloom, even in the absence of wind, is lovely, but it also reminds us of the shortness and “Hakanasa (はかなさ): transience” of the lives of all living things. Neither the lives of flowers nor human beings last forever. Japanese people consider such “Hakanai (はかない): transient” things to be beautiful and regret them. This is the real reason why Japanese people feel restless when they hear that Sakura has bloomed.

In general, Japanese people tend to find beauty in things that lack something rather than in things that are perfect. And they tend to love the waning gibbous or the clouded moon. The same sentiment can be found in the beauty of Sakura that fall as soon as they are in full bloom, as opposed to flowers that remain in bloom forever even after their color has faded.

Japanese people think of Sakura that fall too soon before they can be cherished as “Isagiyoi (いさぎよい): graceful.” Isagiyoi means that they are not attached to anything, and look refreshing to look at.

“Isagiyoi” was sometimes used to say about a samurai. The duty of samurai is not to be afraid of the death and to fight bravely. If they lose unluckily, it was considered ideal to choose an honorable death rather than running away or begging for life. People praised the attitude and called it “Isagiyoi.”

Even today, when a high-ranking people, such as ministers or company presidents, cling to their chair forever, refusing to admit their fault or making excuses, people think it is “Isagiyokunai: not graceful.”

In Japanese, there is a saying that “Hana wa Sakuragi, Hito wa Bushi (花は桜木、人は武士): As to flower Sakura is best. As for people, Samurai.” When it comes to flowers, it is said that Sakura, which bloom and fall quickly, are the best. And when it comes to people, they say that the samurai, who are brave and pass away quickly, are the best.

Japan has a deep culture and long history. Would you like to study together at TCJ, which specializes in Japanese language?