From the end of March to beginning of May, Japan is colored pink everywhere by the flowers. It is season of cherry blossom which we call Sakura（桜）.
During this season, many people go out and enjoy beauty of this flower day and night. There is a Sakura forecast aside from weather forecast. Japanese people know when can be the best timing to enjoy the flower.
Many foreign friends remember my country with this beautiful floor. In fact, when I asked students here in the Philippines; what do they know about my country, one of the list they mentioned is Sakura.
I could say we have sort of special feeling toward it. In my view, the following can be the reasons why it is so special to us.
Period of this flower
Only once a year, during March to May, we can see it blooming. Period we can enjoy Sakura is very short. Sakura blooms usually around 2 weeks. Once we notice it starts blooming, next time we see it falling. Some counts how many times enjoy this view in my life time...It sounds very melancholic.
Sakura often becomes theme in Poems, Haiku and songs (even pop songs).
久かたのひかりのどけき春の日にしづ心なく花のちるらむ (Hisakata no hikari nodokeki harunohi ni shizu kokoronaku hanano chiru ramu)
Meaning of this poem is:
Flower petals are falling while we enjoy subdued spring sun light. Even though it is mild day of spring, why Sakura is rushing to fall.
When I was elementary, teacher requests us to memorized all one hundred poems. This was the one I remembered the most because it appeals to our imagination and describes well its beauty and melancholiness.
Timing
It blooms after long cold winter season. Spring is people awaiting season. Sakura become one of symbol of Spring.
Season of Sakura is also season of graduation or entrance ceremony. So some people may recall memories of graduation or entrance of schools.
Gracefulness
Sakura ends gracefully. Even thought it is beautiful and people praise its beauty very highly, it seems knowing its time ending.
In our society, people appreciate this kind of attitude. As the proverb says, A defeated general should not talk of the battle.
Color of Sakura
Color of Sakura is pink but it is close to color white. Its color is not appealing itself. It may not irrelevance that Japanese like a self-effacing person.
My province in Japan, season of cherry blossom has ended. Sadly, I missed the season again this year.
Many foreign friends remember my country with this beautiful floor. In fact, when I asked students here in the Philippines; what do they know about my country, one of the list they mentioned is Sakura.
I could say we have sort of special feeling toward it. In my view, the following can be the reasons why it is so special to us.
Period of this flower
Only once a year, during March to May, we can see it blooming. Period we can enjoy Sakura is very short. Sakura blooms usually around 2 weeks. Once we notice it starts blooming, next time we see it falling. Some counts how many times enjoy this view in my life time...It sounds very melancholic.
久かたのひかりのどけき春の日にしづ心なく花のちるらむ (Hisakata no hikari nodokeki harunohi ni shizu kokoronaku hanano chiru ramu)
Flower petals are falling while we enjoy subdued spring sun light. Even though it is mild day of spring, why Sakura is rushing to fall.
When I was elementary, teacher requests us to memorized all one hundred poems. This was the one I remembered the most because it appeals to our imagination and describes well its beauty and melancholiness.
Season of Sakura is also season of graduation or entrance ceremony. So some people may recall memories of graduation or entrance of schools.
Gracefulness
Sakura ends gracefully. Even thought it is beautiful and people praise its beauty very highly, it seems knowing its time ending.
In our society, people appreciate this kind of attitude. As the proverb says, A defeated general should not talk of the battle.
Color of Sakura
Color of Sakura is pink but it is close to color white. Its color is not appealing itself. It may not irrelevance that Japanese like a self-effacing person.
My province in Japan, season of cherry blossom has ended. Sadly, I missed the season again this year.
