Cherry blossoms

Weeping sakura trees in Kyoto. @Yasa Art Studios

Spring is around the corner and Japan is busy preparing for cherry blossoms viewing or hanami 花見 in Japanese. Japan Meteorological Agency is in charge of monitoring the weather and publishing maps with hanami forecasts. Hotels and entertaining venues are booked in advance, annual maiko [geisha apprentice] dances are being practiced to perfection in Kyoto. Friends and families make plans for outings. All for the sake of enjoying the views of white and pink cherry trees blossoming under early spring sun. The fragile petals will soon be blown away by the wind, giving way to the greenery of upcoming summer. Sakura, the beloved symbol of the transient nature of spring.

So, why cherry blossoms? When did it become so popular to walk along blossoming alleys of cherry trees and admire the shimmer of flowers? What's the story?

Viewing cherry blossoms along the Sumida river. By Ando Hiroshige (1787-1858)

As the legend goes, the tradition originated in China and was imported to Japan together with plum trees during Hakuho period (approximately 7th century BC). Plum blossoms were the subject of admiration by the nobility during Nara period (710-794 BC). Viewing the flowers, while drinking wine and writing poetry was a favourite past time of Japanese aristocracy.

During the reign of Emperor Saga (809-803), plum blossoms gave way to cherry blossoms, which were native to Japan. At the time, Japan was moving away from Chinese influence and brought more home-grown subjects into culture. Made in Japan, so to speak. Thus, plum blossoms gave way to cherry blossoms, while hanami tradition was maintained.

The first record of hanami refers to the banquet, held by the Emperor Saga. It mentioned cherry blossoms and sake – drinking wine while viewing the flowers. Later on, cherry trees were planted in gardens throughout Japan. In 1598, about 700 cherry trees were planted around Daigo temple in Kyoto. The temple and its gardens remain one of the most well-known and celebrated sites in Kyoto.

During the Kamakura period (1192-1333), popularity of hanami extended to samurai. The unpredictable fate of the samurai was likened to that of cherry blossoms, as both were admired by people but could easily lose their lives. Cherry blossoms were blown away by the wind, samurai were killed in combat.

Viewing the cherry blossoms at Ueno. Katsukawa Shunzan, active 1780-1800

Edo period (1603-1867) popularised hanami even further. At the time, woodblock prints were introduced and cherry blossoms were immortalised by great artists in art, prints, silk and shoji screens, fabric patterns and family crests.

Cherry blossoms were the subject of admiration of regular folk, albeit with different connotations. According to Shinto traditions, kami – the gods of rice fields – descended from the mountains in spring and hid in cherry blossoms. Farmers celebrated the hanami and pleased the gods with food and sake, enticing them to stay in the cherry trees for as long as possible. Farmers believed that the longer the flowers bloom in spring, the richer the harvest will be in the fall.

From Edo period onwards powerful shogun planed cherry trees in gardens throughout Japan. Presently, practically every city in Japan has a garden or an alley with cherry trees. The beautiful tradition of viewing cherry blossoms has travelled far beyond Japan's borders.

In Canada, sakura alley in Toronto High Park has become a place of annual public gatherings. The Japanese sakura trees were first planted in the 50-s by the then Japanese ambassador to Canada. Over the years, even more sakura trees were presented and planted in High Park. All of them survived. Every spring, crowds flock to High Park sakura alleys to celebrate the arrival of spring with public gatherings under blossoming cherry trees.

The beauty of spring is transient, after all.

Hanami in Kyoto, Ryoan-ji.

Images: Library of Congress, Yasa Art Studios.