Flowers / 花

Well, spring is in the air, and in a very Japanese way. If you ask a Japanese person what their favorite tree/flower/plant is, I would guess that the majority of them would answer "sakura da yo!" or something less blunt. Regardless of the politeness level, the Japanese really like sakura (cherry blossoms) and I have learned why. This tree, different from an actual cherry-bearing tree, has very beautiful flowers, either white or pink, or both if it's very special. Some are over 350 yrs old, others are blossoming for the first time. Some are firm and upright, others are more droopy and enjoy a nice pillar for support. Many types of sakura abound, but they are all viewed respectfully and are admired.

So what about them makes them so dear to the Japanese, as if their beauty weren't enough. Well, they only bloom for about two or three weeks out of the year, some types even less. So during those fateful days in April (usually, but it depends where in Japan you are...they bloom first in the south and last in the north since it is roughly temperature-dependent) people swarm to see them. Parks of crowded with people who sit under the trees with family and friends and have a hearty celebration with delicious food and plenty of alcohol (which is legal to consume in public, and of course can be bought from vending machines). This does result in plenty of trash and the occasional drunken argument, but mostly everyone has a good time. The sakura flower's evanescent life reminds us of our own short life and also of those who came before us. This profound symbolism is what appeals the most, I think, to the Japanese. In many "Western" views, to over-simplify, spring is seen as a time of new beginnings, renewals, and rebirth, and while this holds true in Japan as well, the sakura is a beautiful example of our fleeting life. What a great way to start off the new (fiscal, in Japan) year.

Here are only a few of the pictures I have taken of flowers, most of which happen to be sakura.

Sakura in Edogawa, Tokyo

Sakura along a river

Pretty flower in Chinzan-so

Another flower in Chinzan-so

Not full sakura

I feel pretty

I spy a Japanese building

Mira, I am a good spy

Violet-colored. Or maybe lilac-colored, I'm bad with colors.

In Tokyo, sakura ga mankai desu (umm the sakura are in full-bloom). And a beer company headquarter office in the back, I think it's Asahi.

BAM!

Yeah pure awesomeness

Close-up sakura

You have just been sakura'd

This is in an awesome park in Tokyo, Harumifuto-koen I think. My favorite place in Tokyo so far.

In Yasukuni shrine, which is a controversial place, especially for Korean and Chinese people, I've been told.

I daresay, what a fine specimen and perfection

In Ueno park, many people enjoying hanami (花見, literally meaning "flower seeing")

K, hope y'all enjoyed that. It was pretty awesome to have serendipitously been in Japan to experience this awesomeness.