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Why do Japanese people love cherry blossoms?
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Cherry blossoms are one of Japan’s national treasures. They bloom every spring and fall in Tokyo and Kyoto. In fact, they are considered to be the symbol of the city. Cherry blossom season is also the time when the Japanese celebrate the New Year.
When the flowers start blooming, the whole country goes crazy about them. People visit parks and gardens to admire the beautiful blossoms. Some people even take photographs of the cherry trees in full bloom.
It seems that Japanese people just cannot live without cherry blossoms. There are many legends behind why Japanese people love cherry blossos so much. One of them says that the cherry blossoms remind us of the beauty of nature. Another legend says that the cherry blossos were created by Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. She was very fond of them and she planted them everywhere. When her husband came back, he saw the cherry blossos and fell in love with them. He asked his wife to plant more cherry blossos so that he could enjoy them together.
Another story tells us that the cherry blossos bring peace and harmony to the nation. According to the legend, during World War II, the Japanese soldiers had to fight against the Americans. But at night, the cherry blossos illuminated the sky. The soldiers felt peaceful and happy because of the cherry blossos. After the war ended, the Japanese government declared that the cherry blossom should be protected.
So, now you know the reason why the Japanese love cherry blossos so dearly.
The History of Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossom season is upon us again, and Japan is celebrating its annual spring festival, known as Sakura Matsuri. This week, we’re going to take a closer look at this beautiful tradition.
Sakura means ‘cherry’ in Japanese. The name was given because when the flowers bloom, they resemble small cherries. But there’s nothing sweet about these blooms. They’re actually poisonous.
Cherry trees were introduced to Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868). During that era, the country was ruled by shoguns who encouraged farmers to grow fruit trees to supply them with food.
Today, cherry blossoms are celebrated throughout Japan. People visit parks and temples to view the blossoms, and many businesses offer special events and activities to celebrate the occasion.
During the Edo period, cherry blossoms were used to create decorations for festivals and celebrations. Today, they continue to be displayed in public spaces, including parks and gardens.
But the history of cherry blossoms goes back further than that. According to legend, a princess named Princess Kaguya fell in love with a farmer named Sugawara no Michizane. She asked him to marry her, but he refused. Instead, she gave him some of her hair, which he kept in his house until he died.
When he passed away, his family buried him next to the tree where the princess had fallen in love with him. And every year, when the cherry blossoms bloom, they say that the spirit of the princess comes down to earth to remind him of his promise.
When Do They Blossom?
Cherry blossom season lasts only a couple weeks every spring. The blooming period begins in early March and ends in late April.
During this short window, many Japanese visit parks and gardens to catch a glimpse of the beautiful flowers.
But when does the cherry blossom bloom? Cherry blossoms begin to appear at different times depending on where you live. Here’s a list of the approximate dates when cherry blossoms peak in major cities across Japan.
Tokyo – mid-March
Osaka – early March
Kyoto – early March
Nagoya – early March
Hiroshima – early March
Okayama – early March
Kobe – early March
Sendai – early March
Miyagi – early March
Where Are They Grown?
Cherry blossom trees grow only in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of Russia. The flowers bloom in spring when temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
They’re not native to North America, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. So where did they come from? Cherry blossoms were brought to Japan during the Edo period, between 1603 and 1868. During this time, Japanese farmers planted them along roadsides and riverbanks. Today, there are over 100 million cherry trees in Japan.
Today, most Japanese people visit Kyoto every spring to experience the beautiful cherry blossoms. And many Japanese tourists travel abroad to see the cherry blossoms in places like Washington D.C., London, Paris, and Barcelona.
Summing up
Japan has long been known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees, which bloom every spring. But why do these flowers hold so much meaning for the country? And how did this tradition begin? Read on to find out!