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In
no other country do citizens exhibit such a universal
or enduring obsession with a single flower—not
even the Dutch and their tulips.
Japanese
fondly devour cherry fruit, but they reserve their
love for the non-fruit-bearing flowering cherry tree,
with its fuller and larger flowers. The cherry blossom
(sakura) is the national flower of Japan, and
the cherry blossom motif adorns kimonos, dinnerware,
teapots, innumerable paintings and, of course, sake
cups—which brings us to the ultimate expression
of cherry-love, the hanami, or cherry blossom viewing
party.
In the 1,400 years or so since Japanese
first celebrated hanami, the spring event has evolved
into a lively celebration of winter's end under
a billowing pink and white canopy—with good friends,
good food and, these days, karaoke (both good and
bad).
So, when winter loosens its grip and the
nightly weather news begins reporting the northward
surge of the blossom front, sakura frenzy floods
the nation. There are bus and train tours to exceptional
gardens; companies reserve space under trees for after-hours
parties; families and neighbors picnic on Saturday
or Sunday afternoons as children run to and fro amid
the pink snow of the falling petals. Cherry blossoms
are such a part of Japanese spring life that it is
hard to find a school ground, public park or riverbank
that does not have a flourishing stand. When the blossoms
erupt, one sees them everywhere.
Restaurants prepare cherry blossom-themed
dishes—even including the blossoms themselves
and confectionaries compete to offer sweets with novel
sakura-based creations, in addition to traditional
sakura mochi (rice cakes). And, of course,
there are cosmetics—sakura extract skin
moisturizers, a French perfume, and shampoos.
Like many things dear to Japanese, the
cherry blossom combines elements of happiness and
wistful sadness, for their rapid passing. It is a
time of reflection, but mostly of celebration, as
nothing can be allowed to interfere with the beauty
of cherry flowers. |
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