Cherry trees and their blossoms in Japan go by
the name of sakura and carry a great cultural meaning and significance
for the people of Japan. The word sakura would translate as the Japanese
flowering cherry tree in English whereas the blossoms are referred to as cherry
blossoms.
The cherry blossom trees produce the wonderful
fruit of cherry which goes by the name of sakuranbo in Japan. This fruit
actually comes from another species of the tree.
The Japanese cherry blossom tree is not only
native to this island country, rather it is indigenous to other Asian countries
as well including China, Korea and India. Japan alone has over two hundred
cultivars of the cherry blossom tree.
History and Symbolism of the Cherry Blossom Tree
Flower viewing was a phenomenon that the Japanese adopted from China during
the Heiran Period. Poets, singers, aristocrats and members of ordinary
households would come together to gather around cherry blossom trees and
appreciate their beauty. Over the years the tree became a highly revered
species in Japan.
Whereas the cherry blossom tree represented the female form in China it took
on a much deeper meaning in Japanese culture. The Japanese observed the life
cycle of the cherry blossom tree and drew a similitude between the nature of
the blossoming tree with human life in general.
The cherry blossom tree is known for its short yet brilliant blooming season
which ends with an inevitable fall to the ground. For the Japanese masses this
drama staged by the natural process of the tree was reminiscent of the natural
way of human life where rise and fall are the main elements in limited time.
Along with being a metaphoric representation of life in general, the cherry
blossom tree is believed to have deep connections with Buddhism. According to
the dharma the tree was associated with the concept of ‘mono no aware’
ever since the 18th century.
sources:
http://globerove.com/japan/japanese-cherry-blossom-trees/1582
http://greatatmosphere.wordpress.com/tag/cherry-blossoms/
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