Times Of TIU

Writer: Sid M.

Editor: Dinith F.

Translator: Yukinobu N.

As spring rolls by once again, the cold and harsh winds of winter are replaced by the soft fluttering of pink petals in the air. Cherry blossoms are often admired by people for their beauty and sense of renewal. Yet, the fact that they carry a deep cultural and spiritual significance in Japan may not be well known. To look past their aesthetic and discover their true significance, we need to explore their origins and the different forms they take.

The significance of cherry blossoms can be traced back to folklore and Shinto origins. In Shinto teachings, “Kami”, often referred to as spirits or deities, were said to inhabit natural beings or things: such as mountains, trees or rivers. The cherry trees were considered to be amongst the most sacred, especially among farmers. The falling blossoms were believed to signal the awakening of the ta no kami (rice paddy deity) and a sign of good harvest or agriculture. Farmers and villagers would then host feasts under the trees as a method to communicate with the revered kami and appease it.

During the Heian era, Emperor Saga turned it into an aristocratic event by making it a ritual of cultural distinction and music that only nobles could attend. Emperor Saga hosted the first cherry blossom viewing party at the Shinsenen Garden in Kyoto, this was followed up by more parties; all were lavish and had intimate gatherings with sake under the trees. Crucially, in Heian court literature, the word “hana” became synonymous with cherry blossoms. Therefore, people did not need to say sakura, as “hana” (flower) simply meant cherry, this was the main evidence of the cultural significance of cherry blossoms in the past.

1- Somei Yoshino(染井吉野)

When most people think of Japanese cherry blossoms, they are likely imagining the Somei Yoshino. It is often considered the most popular, due to being visually striking; the sakura blooms before its leaves appear. This means that the entire tree is an entire cloud of pink petals. During the Edo period, it was bred in the Somei village area of Tokyo before being spread nationally by the Meiji period. Places to view Somei Yoshino include Ueno Park and Chidorigafuchi.

2- Yamazakura(山桜)

Yamazakura, the wild cherry blossom, is often considered the soul of Japanese sakura. This is the sakura celebrated in Heian poetry and literature. Unlike the Somei Yoshino, this type has its leaves and flowers bloom simultaneously; creating a more rustic and reddish aesthetic. This type of sakura grows naturally across mountains and forests and some specimens were recorded to be thousands of years old. A well-known spot to view Yamazakura is Mount Yoshino in Nara.

3-Shidarezakura(枝垂桜)

Shidarezakura is known as the weeping cherry with its long and cascading branches that are draped in cherry blossoms; creating one of the most beautiful sights that nature can provide in Japan. Shidarezakura has been cultivated for thousands of years but was mostly used for ceremonial purposes like shrines or temples. Famous examples include the Maruyama Park weeping cherry trees in Kyoto.

4-Kawazu Zakura (河津桜)

Kawazu Zakura is referred to as the early bloomer in the cherry blossom cycle. It blooms from late January till early March, far earlier than others like the Somei Yoshino, which usually blooms during late March or early April. Kawazu Zakura has a distinct deep pink shade that makes it noticeably different from the other types. It was discovered growing wild in Kawazu town in Izu in 1955 and is believed to be a natural hybrid. The annual Kawazu Sakura Festival draws huge crowds to Izu every February. The best place to see this is at Kawazu in the Izu peninsula. 

5-Yaezakura (八重桜)

Yaezakura can be thought of as the finale of the cherry blossom season; it usually blooms during late April to early May. The name itself means “double layered cherry” which gives it a peony like aesthetic of lush and dense flowers.It appears frequently in classical poetry associated with late spring and lingering beauty, and its heavier flowers fall in clumps rather than drifting individually, giving it a different, more opulent kind of grandeur. A place to see Yaezakura is Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo.

Conclusion:

While hanami was seen as a luxury and an activity for nobility in the past, modern times have completely flipped the narrative. Almost every Japanese person, regardless of education or background, experiences the joy and serenity of hanami.This is remarkable, as an aristocratic philosophical concept from 1,000 years ago has become a near universal cultural experience. Almost no one viewing cherry blossoms today is consciously thinking about whether the kami in the tree would heed their calls.

In modern times, the cherry blossom season drives billions of yen in tourism, fuelling the market for everything from various Sakura-themed merchandise to food items such as sakura flavoured drinks, snacks. This commodification is a remarkable shift from the cherry blossom’s traditional role as a symbol of spiritual significance.