The tradition of admiring cherry blossoms dates back to the 16th century. Thousands of Japanese people every year come to the parks, sit under the cherry blossoms and admire the pink flowers. Enjoy the extraordinary beauty of cherry blossoms with us!
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1. Since Monday, Ueno Park in Tokyo is filled with crowds of happy Japanese people. As every year, they came to admire the blossoming sakura - the national symbol of the country. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
2. Families, friends and classmates sit in parks under flowering trees, spread out the tablecloths, take out the food they brought with them and celebrate the Spring Festival until nightfall, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms. And in the evening, according to tradition, paper lanterns will be lit in the parks. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
3. For several days, the Japanese will follow the sakura-zensen - "cherry blossom front" - from the TV show, which is shown immediately after the weather forecast. (Photo: AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)
4. Sakura-zensen begins in February on the southernmost island, Okinawa. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
5. In Tokyo and Kyoto, cherry blossoms begin later - in late March or early April. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
6. The most recent cherries to bloom in the north of Japan - on the island of Hokkaido. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
7. This year, the hanami tradition has been supplemented with another custom - to take selfies against the background of flowering trees. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
8. Hanami is an important part of Japanese identity. The blossoming buds glorified by poets mean a new beginning, and literally, because when cherries bloom, a new school year begins, as well as a new working year in Japanese corporations. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
9. The symbol of Japan, cherry blossoms, in this country can be found almost everywhere - on kimonos, dishes, jewelry and even stationery. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
10. Without this tradition, Japan would not be Japan, a 67-year-old Tokyo resident told a Reuters reporter. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
11. “This is an event that every Japanese person has been participating in from a very young age,” said Miko Nakai. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
12. The cherry blossom bloom, which lasts two weeks, is covered in detail in the Japanese media. (Photo: YUYA SHINO / REUTERS)
13. The peak of flowering occurs around the 7th day, then the cherry blossoms gradually begin to fade. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
14. The mayor of Tokyo estimates that this year alone, Ueno Park will be visited by two million people. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
15. The Tokyo authorities made sure that visitors to the parks did not leave trash behind, for this purpose they distribute picnic baskets and garbage bags to everyone. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
“Hanami” in Russian means “admiring flowers”. In Japan, this holiday is traditional and is celebrated every spring. The fact is that the sakura blossom always heralds the arrival of spring, and the sakura itself is one of the symbols of this country.
The Japanese with the whole family go to the nearest park to see how beautifully the trees are blooming. They bring picnic kits and rugs with them to relax in a pleasant atmosphere. In addition, many people take pictures of trees at this wonderful time, because the cherry blossom period is very short. You can go to the park even in the evening, as lighting in the form of paper lanterns is implemented here.
Sakura most often blooms from late March to mid-April. At this time, amazingly beautiful buds bloom, and the air is filled with a wonderful aroma. In Japan, the timing of cherry blossoms is reported in the news, and they name a specific date for each park, compare the current flowering with last year, interview passers-by, and so on.
It should be noted that one of the most famous parks in the Japanese capital - Shinjukugyoen National Park is famous for the fact that 75 species grow here, and the total number of trees exceeded one and a half thousand.
The holiday is opened every year by the imperial family, and festivals dedicated to this event are held in all major cities. By the way, in the city of Koriyama you can find the oldest cherry in the country, whose age is estimated at six hundred years! A huge number of people expect it to bloom every year. There is even a website where this event can be watched online.
Another romantic holiday from Japan ... It is not about romantic feelings ... Although it evokes a whole fireworks of feelings and emotions. This is the Sakura Blossom Festival. After reading the article, you will get acquainted with the legend of the blooming sakura. You will also learn a lot of interesting information about this holiday.
1. Cherry or Plum?
From the point of view of botanists, sakura is a wild finely sawed Japanese cherry. But in reality, the word sakura means a huge number of flowering trees and shrubs (4 hundred different varieties). Numerous varieties have different flowers, both in shape (ordinary, semi-double, double inflorescences) and in color (from pale pink to purple-red). They also differ in height and crown shape. There is even a variety of weeping cherry blossoms ...
2. The legend of the cherry blossoms
The legend of the cherry blossoms is associated with Japanese pagan deities. Once upon a time the God of Horus had the idea to marry one of his daughters to the grandson of the Sun Goddess. The eldest daughter, whose name was High Rock, did not possess beauty ... But her descendants were guaranteed a strong and immortal life ... And the youngest was a beauty, like a blooming sakura ... Her descendants were destined for a bright, beautiful life, but not durable .. The young man chose a beautiful girl ... Therefore, the descendants of this beautiful couple do not have the opportunity to live forever ... But they can live her brightly and beautifully, like cherry blossoms ...
3. History of the Sakura Blossom Festival
The tradition of admiring sakura flowers dates back to the 3rd century in the imperial family. The holiday "Hanami", which literally translates as "admiring flowers", began to be celebrated back in the 8th century. The aristocrats of that time, being under the blossoming branches of the Japanese cherry, enjoyed the scent of flowers, contemplated the meaning of life, composed poetry ... During the Tokugawa dynasty, cherry trees were planted everywhere. It was believed that admiring sakura blossoms prolongs a person's life up to a hundred years. Samurai also considered sakura to be their symbol.
4. Sakura blossom festival now
Since 1992, the Japanese have had the Sakura Blossom Festival. The holiday symbolized the arrival of spring.
Since that time, it begins approximately in the second half of March according to the Gregorian calendar and lasts two weeks. Flowers on the tree last about 5 days. But since the beginning of flowering for different varieties occurs at different times, the holiday continues until the end of March. The appearance of the first flower is watched by the ministers of a Buddhist temple in Tokyo. They are announcing the beginning of cherry blossoms.
The whole country during this period turns into a beautiful rose garden. This is due to the fact that there are hundreds of parks in major cities in Japan. Thousands of cherry trees have been growing in each park since time immemorial. Sakura also grows here along the banks of rivers and water bodies, as well as near religious temples ...
Sakura is the national symbol of Japan. The flowering of this tree evokes many different feelings and emotions, such as: love, joy, sadness, happiness, delight, calmness and serenity ... Japanese poets, inspired by sakura blossom, write their hokku ...
And although these days are not a weekend in the country, many Japanese, along with their families, necessarily go to one of the city parks to admire the cherry blossoms. They have their picnics right under the flowering trees. Office workers, students, workers also celebrate this event with entire companies. Not complete without Japanese sake rice vodka. In some places, cherry blossom trees are illuminated in the evening. This is to create a romantic atmosphere.
Many tourists from different parts of the world come specially at this time to the land of the rising sun to admire this amazing phenomenon ...
A magical time when anyone can feel like a philosopher, reflect on the transience of life and love, admiring the beauty of flowers, is the period of cherry blossoms in Japan. At this time, photographers and newlyweds from all over the world come here to capture this fleeting, but such a beautiful miracle of nature.
Cherry blossom time
Breathing wind
Flowers cute
Plays by fate
In the photo: sakura blossom - a favorite holiday of the Japanese When does sakura bloom in? The flowering period is highly dependent on the region and, of course, on the weather. It is believed that the month when sakura blooms is March, but if the weather is cool, then the flowers can begin to bloom in April.
It should be noted that the cherry blossom season is very short and lasts about 7 days. It is difficult to guess in advance when exactly the cherry blossoms will bloom this year, so it is better to have a few days in stock.
Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan
Photo: Kyoto Sakura Blossom Festival, Japan If you come to the land of the rising sun at the end of March, somewhere around 29-31, or at the beginning of April for at least a week, then you will definitely see the cherry blossoms bloom. Holidays are held in the cities of Japan these days. The dates change from year to year, but something like this:
Photo: Cherry blossoms at Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo. Japan v Tokyo sakura bloom lasts from March 23 to April 9, a particularly beautiful time from March 30 to April 9
Kyoto- from March 26 to April 11
Kagoshima- from March 22 to April 7
Kumamoto- from March 18 to April 3
Fukuoka- cherry blossoms from March 19 to April 5
Hiroshima- from March 23rd to April 8th
Takamatsu- from March 26 to April 11
Osaka- duration of cherry blossoms from 26 March to 11 April
Nagoya- from March 25 to April 9
Yokohama- from March 23rd to April 8th
Nara- from March 28 to March 10
Matsumoto- from 8 to 19 April
Fukushima- sakura bloom from April 9 to April 21
Sendai- from 11 to 23 April
Hirosaki- from April 22 to May 5
Hakodate- from 1 to 12 May
Sapporo- from 4 to 14 May
For more details, see the official website, where there are start dates of the holidays, addresses of parks by city, opening hours of parks and schemes.
Hanami - a holiday of cherry blossoms or How to admire flowers
Photo: photographers are trying to photograph Fujiyama against the background of cherry blossoms Cherry blossoms in Japan- this is not just beauty, it is a whole tradition of admiring flowers, which is called Hanami. Hanami should start with a short walk. Approaching the park with blooming sakura, admire the delicate clouds of flowers from afar, pay attention to the nearby temples and other beautiful buildings that create a magnificent picture.
Photo: cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Shinjuku Gyoen Park While walking in the park, inhale the sakura scent - it soothes, admire the flowers - it distracts from the hustle and bustle, think about our short life, youth and beauty - they are as fleeting as cherry blossoms ...
In the photo: Hanami is admiring sakura flowers In sequence
Terry cherry blossom petals fall
Fluttering in the wind.
Photo: Japanese at a picnic during cherry blossoms in the city of Aizu, Japan Then it is customary to have a picnic under the flowering trees. But on Hanami days, there are so many people in the parks that a picnic site must be reserved in advance - as a rule, one person takes a place in the early morning, and then waits for the rest.
In the photo: in the evenings in the parks flowering cherry trees are beautifully illuminated In some parks, cherry blossom trees are lit up in the evening - don't miss this magnificent sight!
Another photo of cherry blossoms
Photo: Cherry blossoms in Kawazu Prefecture. Japan The most pleasant thing is to look at the flowering trees while walking along the embankments.
In the photo: the Japanese at the cherry blossom festival in the park of the city of Hirosaki Blooming trees near the surface of the water are especially impressive - along rivers and numerous park ponds.
Silence of the wind.
Ain't touched by the rush
Sakura petal?
Haaru, in Japanese, spring, is the time of blossoming of the ornamental cherry "sakura", which is associated with one of the most beautiful holidays of the Land of the Rising Sun. From the end of March to the beginning of April, Japan is completely transformed: hundreds of trees are blooming everywhere with white and pinkish-white flowers, which makes it seem from a distance as if they are shrouded in clouds or covered with flakes of snow. Every year, many people gather in parks, alleys, gardens, near palaces and temples to enjoy a truly beautiful and exciting spectacle. This custom got the name "khanami" (from the words "khana" - a flower and "mi" - to look), which literally means "looking at flowers."
Sakura is the national symbol of Japan, to which many songs and poems are dedicated. There are about 16 species and about 400 varieties of this tree. The most famous are someyoshino, which blooms with white flowers, and shidarezakura (weeping sakura), on which pink flowers bloom. It is believed that the most beautiful sakura blooms in the ancient capitals - Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura.
Unfortunately, cherry blossoms are short-lived. A gust of wind or rain is enough, and delicate flowers, not having time to bloom, quickly fall to the ground. Perhaps that is why, in Buddhism, the blooming sakura is a symbol of the frailty and impermanence of being, and in poetry it is associated with a departed youth and love.
The tradition of admiring sakura flowers is universal in Japan. Every year, meteorological agencies and the media closely monitor the start of the bloom season and report it as an event of national importance. The official opening of the cherry blossom season takes place at Shinjuku Central Park in Tokyo in the presence of the imperial couple. As a rule, all famous political and public figures of Japan are invited to the holiday.
The history of the Japanese tradition of observing cherry blossoms
According to some sources, the tradition of admiring cherry blossoms appeared in Japan in the 7th century during the reign of the Tang dynasty. Japanese aristocrats loved to spend time under the cherry blossoms, enjoying light drinks, music and games. During the reign of Emperor Saga, the famous poet and calligrapher, at the court in Kyoto, they began to hold sakura admiring festivals, which were picnics under flowering trees. During this period, poems were written, praising the beautiful graceful flowers of the Japanese cherry, in which they saw a metaphor for all life: its inconstancy, ephemerality and transience. This was the beginning of the khans.
At first, this custom extended only to the elite and the imperial court. He soon became popular among the samurai, and by the beginning of the Edo period - among the common people.
In those days, sakura was a symbol of the harvest, and its bloom heralded the beginning of the rice planting season. According to the beliefs of the Japanese, nature was inhabited by spirits, so offerings and libations were made to the sakura. Later, at the rituals of offerings, they began to drink sake.
During the Tokugawa Dynasty, cherry trees were planted throughout Japan to spread and strengthen the hanami tradition. During the period of feudalism, the blooming sakura became a symbol of the samurai and the code according to which they led their lives.
In the 19th century, during the era of Meiji reforms, cherry trees, which became a symbol of feudalism, began to be cut down by order of the emperor, but the tradition of admiring sakura flowers revived after a while, becoming one of the most beloved holidays in Japan.
Today, people continue the tradition of khans celebrating, gathering together under flowering trees and having picnics that sometimes last until late at night. To fully enjoy the khans, people gather at ancient monasteries, palaces, parks and gardens, bring food and drinks with them and spend time enjoying pleasant conversation with friends, relatives or work colleagues.
Cherry Blossom Calendar Time
The Japanese islands stretch from subtropical to temperate latitudes, so all seasonal changes smoothly flow from south to north. On the southernmost island of Japan, Okinawa, the first cherry blossoms bloom in January, while on the northern island of Hokkaido, cherry blossoms can only bloom in summer.
The beginning and duration of cherry blossoms varies from year to year. It is officially believed that in Tokyo, sakura blooms from March 27 to April 7, in Sapporo - from March 12 to April 20, in Kyoto - from April 4 to 16, in Osaka - from April 5 to 13, but these figures are approximate. If the weather is warm before the beginning of the flowering season, then the sakura can bloom one to two weeks earlier, and if it is preceded by cold weather, then the first buds may appear much later than the planned date.
The cherry blossom season is relatively short. After the opening of the first buds, the trees stand in full bloom from several days or even hours to a week, after which the flowers begin to fall off quickly. Strong winds or rain can further shorten the flowering period. That is why, with spring approaching in Japan, cherry blossom predictions are very popular, which are daily reported on radio and television, in newspapers and magazines about in which cities and provinces the sakura is already in full bloom, and where it will bloom from day to day.
After the opening of the season, the wave of cherry blossoms gradually moves north, accompanied by massive festivities, so many Japanese follow her around the country to be able to admire the cherry blossoms throughout the spring. And for those who want to enjoy cherry blossoms all year round, many museums in Japan organize exhibitions that use the effect of aromatherapy. Visitors can feel the sweetish scent of cherry blossoms while viewing the paintings depicting cherry blossoms. It is believed to have a tonic effect and relieve fatigue.
About the holiday of cherry blossoms. Traditions of behavior
Hanami is one of the most popular spring holidays in Japan. They go to admire the flowers in a large company, which may consist of family members, friends, relatives, colleagues at work or school. Hundreds of people spread rugs, blankets or mats on the ground, park lawns and have fun picnics. Usually they bring food, sake and other drinks with them, which are brought from home or bought in tents located nearby. Among the hanami treats, the most popular are onigiri rice balls and dango, a rice flour snack.
Every year they carefully prepare for the holiday. At the appointed hour, friends, relatives or colleagues gather in a certain place, which, as a rule, they occupy in the morning. Long before the commencement of the celebration, a rug with the family's name or company name and the exact time of the beginning of the picnic is either spread out at this place, or a person sits until the whole group comes up. Sometimes there are several waiters, and during the day they replace each other, and the shifts are also signed in advance. Taking a seat for the hanami is considered a common practice. No one will be surprised to see a young man in a business suit sitting early in the morning under cherry blossoms in the park and waiting for his colleagues. Usually this work is entrusted to new employees of the company, which is going to celebrate with khans. In Japan, there are also special agencies that, at the request of the client, send one of their employees, the benria-san, to take a seat under the cherry blossom, since there are much fewer places for hanami than willing.
Hanami is considered a very respectable excuse to leave early from work, get together with friends and enjoy conversation, contemplation of flowers, drink sake and make new acquaintances. Often the opportunity to admire the cherry blossoms is more of an excuse than a real reason for the celebration. In Japan, there is even a joke saying “hana yori dango,” or literally “dumplings before flowers,” which hints at the priorities of most people going to hanami. For employees of firms, admiring sakura is an excellent opportunity to establish contacts, improve relationships in the company, or move up the corporate ladder. And yet, hanami is considered a kind of pilgrimage, during which people travel to places known throughout the country for sakura and for their beautiful views. At the same time, while contemplating cherry blossoms, the Japanese consume a fair amount of sake. In Japan during hanami there is a special ritual called "ikki", reminiscent of the competition "who drinks more and keeps on his feet." The Japanese have a very developed spirit of rivalry, so they drink a lot of sake under the blossoming sakura.
It is customary to gather for picnics not only during the day, but also in the late evening and even at night, because at this time the cherry blossoms are especially beautiful. In parks and gardens, small lanterns called wright-appu are installed under the trees to illuminate them from below, and tall lanterns made of washi rice paper are installed to gently light the flowers. Night hanami is called "yosakura", which means "night sakura".
In spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, it is a magical time in Japan. Connoisseurs of beauty from all over the world come here to enjoy the moment when the whole country is buried in white and pale pink flowers. The splendor of flowering trees is difficult to express in words, however, like everything in this world, it is fickle. After just a couple of weeks, delicate flowers fly around, reminding that beauty and youth are short-lived, and bloom again only after a year.
All people tend to want to turn back time and prolong the happy moments of life. The Japanese, known for their love of sakura, were able to create a small miracle - an artificial cherry tree Sakura Hi-Tech, on the branches of which, instead of flowers, small LEDs are lit. This once again convinces us that Japan is an amazing country in which ancient traditions are organically intertwined with high technologies, where the past meets the future. This is precisely where the attractiveness, incomprehensibility and at the same time the unique charm of this country lies.
If you want to get in touch with the traditions and culture of Japan and fully immerse yourself in its spirit, then you should definitely see the khans with your own eyes. The Japanese cherry blossom festival is a rare beauty event that will help you comprehend the essence of the Japanese worldview, because hanami is a part of their soul.
We will organize a trip for you, during which you can see Japan in spring during hanami, take part in traditional picnics and enjoy the contemplation of cherry blossoms, which will forever remain one of the most vivid impressions of your life.
