The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, known as ‘Sakura’, signifies the welcoming of Spring The cherry blossom festival is a celebration of the beauty of nature throughout Japan that sees the Japanese gather together for food, drink, songs and friendship while the flowers are in bloom
What is cherry blossom in Japan?
The cherry blossom (桜, sakura) is Japan’s unofficial national flower It has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a very prominent position in Japanese culture There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for just a few days in spring
What events does the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan mark?
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival There are a number of events celebrating Japanese culture throughout the course of the nine day festival, which culminates with Sakura Sunday, such as demonstrations of martial arts, ikebana flower arrangement, and tea ceremony
What day is the cherry blossom festival in Japan?
March 27th is Cherry Blossom Day So fond are the Japanese of their cherry blossoms trees that they have even devoted a special day to them
What is the story behind cherry blossoms?
The tradition of celebrating the blooming of cherry trees in Japan is centuries old The planting of cherry trees in Washington DC originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or “Sakura,” is an important flowering plant
What is the symbolism of cherry blossom?
Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life Their life is very short After their beauty peaks around two weeks, the blossoms start to fall During this season in Japan, people like to have cherry blossom parties with colleagues, friends, and family
Why is cherry blossom so important in Japan?
In ancient Japan, farmers used the blooming of the sakura flowers to help them know it was time to plant their rice crops The flowers were considered to be a representation of spring, hope, beauty and new life Blossom viewing in Japan first started in the Nara period of Japan’s history (710-794)
How long does Sakura season last?
However, the blossoms can keep going for up to two weeks, weather and other conditions permitting According to Japan-Guidecom, cherry blossom season is quite short Generally, full bloom happens around one week after the first blossoms open
Is Japan known for cherry blossoms?
Mount Yoshinoyama Yoshinoyama (Mount Yoshino) has been Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spot for many centuries The mountain is covered by approximately 30,000 cherry trees
Why do we celebrate cherry blossom festival?
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC, and celebrates the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan
What does sakura stand for?
The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom – or Sakura, represents a time of renewal and optimism The pops of pink mark the ending of winter and signify the beginning of spring Due to their quick blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism
How long does sakura full bloom last?
Full bloom (mankai) typically occurs within a week after the first opening of cherry blossoms (kaika); you can expect to enjoy the cherry blossoms at peak bloom for about one week
What do Japanese flowers symbolize?
The Japanese cherry blossom, or sakura, is Japan’s national flower, and it represents hope and renewal Since cherry trees only bloom for a short period in the spring, the beauty of the flowers also symbolizes the fleeting nature of life
Why is sakura called cherry blossom?
Known as “sakura” in Japanese, these pale blooms are a symbol of spring because it is a time of renewal However, because the blooms are short-lived, they are also symbolic of the fleeting nature of life The peak bloom is the day when 70 percent of the Toshino cherry trees are open
When did Japan gift cherry blossoms?
On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River Tidal Basin in Washington, DC The event celebrated the Japanese government’s gift of 3,000 trees to the United States
Does cherry blossom mean love?
What Do Cherry Blossoms Symbolize? Cherry blossoms have deep symbolic meaning In China, they represent love and the female mystique of strength, sexuality, and beauty In Japan, the flowers are most cherished, with the blossoms found in all aspects of Japanese culture, from film to poetry and even paintings
Do cherry blossoms represent death?
Despite their beauty, cherry blossoms also represent death This symbol was very common during the Japanese Feudal period (1185 – 1868) Because of the brief window that sakura have in bloom, fallen cherry blossom petals symbolize the short lives of these warriors
What is the spiritual meaning of Cherry?
Spiritual meaning of cherries is connected with samsara or rebirth Also Cherry is symbol of spring & cherries symbolic means is rejuvenation, revival, renewal, resumption of time The festival name is Hanami where people view the flowering that cherry trees have and how they bloom beautifully
What mode is Sakura?
Sakura is a traditional Japanese folk song telling of springtime and cherry blossoms It dates from the late the Edo period between 1603 and 1868 It is based on the Phrygian mode
How does the song Sakura reflect Japanese culture?
SAKURA is a well-known, traditional Japanese folk song The cherry tree represents beauty, peace and joy in the Japanese culture But more importantly, the blooming of the cherry tree signifies the arrival of spring and therefore is associated with renewal and rebirth The song refers to “hanami,” or blossom viewing