What type of sakura is in Japan? Japanese sakura: tree blossom. What are the benefits of sakura fruits? Where is the plant grown?

Tree. It is a decorative cherry from the Pink family. Its inflorescences are also called sakura. It can be found throughout Japan in mountainous areas, along river banks, in city parks, alleys and temple grounds. There are only 16 species and about 400 varieties of sakura.

Sakura is a collective name for forms that are derived from some East Asian species, mainly those with double pink flowers. This colorful plant is found in nature most various shapes and sizes.

Its flowers range from bright pink to white. Japanese cherry fruits ripen after abundant flowering in some species. They look like regular cherries.

Types of sakura, description, distribution

Most species are used only as ornamental plants and do not bear fruit. However, there is sakura, the fruits of which are even used in cooking.

The main part of sakura belongs to the serrated and sharp-serrated cherry species. The first is a tree up to 25 m high. In autumn, its large leaves are painted in original dark purple and even brown tones.

There are 7-9 flowers in a small brush (5 cm long).

The type of Far Eastern Sakhalin cherry is similar to the sharp-serrated one. Its specimens are widespread in the Primorsky Territory, on the islands of the Kuril chain and off the coast of the Sea of Japan. The height of these trees in nature reaches 8 meters. The leaves are dark green, blooming on orange-red branches.

Another species (the ancestor of sakura) is the short-bristle cherry. This tree ranges from 3 to 10 meters in height, with rather lush, umbrella-shaped clusters of light purple flowers.

Growing in the steppes, many also call sakura. It also blooms very profusely in May. Its amazingly beautiful pink or white flowers are an indispensable decoration for any garden throughout the summer season.

The cherry blossoms are quite short-lived, and for the Japanese it symbolizes the transience of everything that happens in this world. The fabulous miraculous phenomenon lasts only a few days, and sometimes even a few hours.

In spring, when delicate, lush and fragrant flowers appear on the bare branches of sakura, all of Japan is covered with a fragrant, delicate white and pink cloud.

What happens after it blooms? Does she have berries? And what fruits does sakura have?

The fruit of the Japanese sakura is called sakumbo, or sakurambo. It tastes like regular cherries.

Sakura fruits vary in color from light pink to dark red, 8-10 mm in size. Plants have slight differences in the taste of fruits, depending on the variety and place of cultivation.

Sakura: use

Used not only as an attractive ornamental plant sakura. Its fruits are edible for the most part a bit sour. Slightly smaller in size than regular cherries. In Japanese, this cherry is called “sakura-no-mi”.

The Japanese often eat sakura fruits. Moreover, leaves are also used.

They are usually salted or pickled in the same way as cucumbers and tomatoes are canned.

A variety of national Japanese sweets - wagashi - are wrapped in pickled sakura leaves. Sakura leaves have a specific taste - salty-sweet, sour and spicy. Therefore, they are mainly used in cooking only in marinated form, and as food supplement to the rice.

Sakura is also used in winemaking. The fruits are used to make cherry wine and jam.

What are the benefits of sakura fruits? Where is the plant grown?

Most sakurambo is grown in Yamagata Prefecture. This area of Japan accounts for more than 75% of the total harvest.

In a sense, the Japanese cherry tree, sakura, is useful. Its fruits (some varieties) contain vitamins and have a good taste. Despite its small size, sakurambo contains the following useful material: glucose, carotene, fruit acids, etc.

It is believed that this cherry has a good diuretic effect and is a good expectorant.

The most popular variety of Japanese cherry is Satonishiki. It is most resistant to weather conditions, as well as rain.

But another variety suffers greatly from rain. This is the Nanie variety. He simply rots. However, the fruits of this variety are the largest of all types, they can often reach a weight of about 12 g and have an amazing taste.

Ripe cherries are collected and placed in special containers to be sent for sale.

Sakurambo is also grown in other northern Japanese provinces: Akita, Fukushima, Hokkaido.

Cultural significance of sakura

Almost all rural areas are devoted to rice cultivation. A signal that the ground has already warmed up enough for sowing is the beginning of cherry blossoms. This means you can plant rice. For peasants, sakura is a symbol of prosperity.

And samurai have a special relationship with sakura. For them, she is a symbol of perseverance and purity.

Not only flowers, but also sakura fruits (you see the photo above) on a tree are a decorative addition to any garden. They look very attractive at any stage of maturation.

Japan is a country of centuries-old traditions and symbols. One of them is sakura. The country pays a lot of attention to this plant. There is a belief that a person who does not see the beauty of nature cannot be trusted, because he has a heart of stone. People from all over the world come to admire the blooming spring garden. We are completely unfamiliar. Therefore, many people are concerned about the question of whether sakura is a cherry or a plum. In terms of its appearance, it resembles both of these trees. Let's try to answer this question.

Introduction

The beauty of trees is appreciated not only in Japan. In Russia they have always been considered symbolic cherry orchards. To appease the god of cherries, Kernis, candles were lit on young plants. This was the key to a future good harvest. Gradually, some European nations adopted it.

They also endowed cherry trees with a special meaning. Their flowering has always been associated with youth, beauty and the birth of a new life. The Japanese also have a special attitude towards. The question immediately arises about what these traditions have in common. Is sakura a cherry or a plum? Let's try to figure it out.

Beautiful legend

First, let's talk about beautiful legend, according to which the veneration of sakura arose. The Japanese have an opinion that flowers that bloom in early spring represent the destinies of children. A long time ago, the village elder brought his children to the ruler and showed him the scars on their backs, which appeared due to the cruel treatment of the prince’s servants. It was a very brave act.

The ruler punished the prince, and he harbored a grudge against the elder. He took his family high into the mountains and tied them to a cherry tree. They were then flogged to death. They say that since then, cherry blossoms in Japan have had a pink tint. This is the answer to the question “Is Sakura a cherry or a plum?” For those who know this legend, falling petals, torn from sakura by the wind, cause sadness and sadness.

Bloom

What does sakura look like? Cherry or almost the same. They have some differences that are not immediately visible. But sakura's inflorescences have a delightful pale pink color. To enter the garden during this period means to plunge into the world of magic.

Many poets glorify cherry blossoms in their works. Spring in Japan is inextricably linked with the tree described. Those who managed to visit the country during this period and observe the flowering still for a long time cannot forget the magnificent and enchanting process. Delicate flowers and subtle aroma evoke thoughts of beauty and serenity.

Japanese holiday

For the Japanese, cherry blossoms are always a holiday. They prepare very carefully for this event. Local residents know for sure whether sakura is a cherry or a plum. It grows throughout the country: in mountainous areas, in parks of cities and temples, along river banks. In early spring when sakura blooms, in everyone locality celebration reigns.

All residents are located under trees strewn with flowers. Entire families or groups of friends come here. People spread straw mats and admire the beauty created by nature itself. Traditionally, the Japanese celebrate this event with their family and a second time with colleagues. Having settled comfortably under the trees, people organize a small feast, the main treat of which is rice balls.

history of the holiday

The history of the holiday goes deep into the past. According to legend, this custom originated in the period from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The Japanese nobility loved to spend time under spreading flowering trees. She enjoyed the beauty of nature, wrote poems, drank drinks and played games. The aristocracy was distinguished by refined manners and grace. Its representatives attached great importance flowering trees and saw a deep meaning in this. Gradually, the tradition became widespread and became part of Japanese culture. It was the sakura flowers that became a symbol of impeccability and perfection.

Modern tendencies

The cherry blossom season does not last long. This period is only a few days, and sometimes a few hours. Today, thanks to special services, people are always informed about the moment of flowering. The Meteorological Service compiles a calendar of exact flowering dates for all regions of the country. For this purpose, special studies are carried out.

Through means mass media Residents are provided with information about cherry blossom locations. In big cities, special celebrations are held for this occasion. Thus, in Kyoto the Sakura Matsuri festival is held, where costume parades are organized and “cherry dances” are performed. In the city of Nara there is a procession in which children and young women carry cherry branches.

What is sakura

Many people ask this question: “What is a sakura tree - is it a cherry or a plum?” The answer to this is interpreted differently by many. This tree is often called Japanese cherry. But the real plant under this name is a low shrub that is used as a decorative garden decoration. According to experts, in Japan some types of cherries and even bird cherry are called sakura. Therefore, answering the question of what sakura refers to, is it a cherry or a plum, we can say with confidence that the first option is correct.

But there is also another side to the coin. Very often, in order to extend the flowering time of trees and enjoy the beauty, some varieties of other trees are used in Japan. It could be plum, cherry, almond, peach, bird cherry or apricot. This is why you can enjoy beauty flowering plants over a longer period. It is not surprising that many people reasonably wonder whether sakura is a cherry or a plum. Photos of trees blooming can be found in the article.

Decorative cherry

Real Japanese cherry is a heat-loving plant. Therefore, in our country it is very rare. It can be seen in the botanical garden. Today there are about 16 species of this tree and more than 400 varieties. These are plants different shapes and size. They are united by very beautiful and short-term flowering. Sakura is a dicotyledonous angiosperm.

Many people mistakenly claim that the described plant does not have fruits. This is wrong. There is also This is cherry or plum, we have already figured it out. But the berries themselves resemble neither one nor the other. They are small, hard and sour. They don't have any special taste. They are used to make wine or add to rice dishes. Sakura fruits are also pickled.

Growing

As already mentioned, sakura has difficulty taking root in our regions due to the harsh climate. But there are some varieties from the northern regions of Japan that can be grown in Russia. Sakura prefers very fertile soils. When planting, it is necessary to ensure the tree has good drainage. A large number of rainwater can destroy sakura. The plant does not like drafts. It grows and develops best in a group of several trees. After a short flowering, small fruits appear. They ripen like cherries, but have a more sour taste. For planting, you should choose seedlings that are maximally adapted to our conditions. You can ask the seller about the peculiarities of cultivation. The tree will delight you, albeit short-lived, with amazing flowering. For the sake of this unforgettable spectacle, you can make an effort and grow sakura on your site. But if this is not possible, then visit Japan - a country where the tree in question is given special attention.

Sakura is an ornamental cherry from the Rosaceae family. The inflorescences of the trees are also called Sakura. It can be found in the mountainous regions of Japan, in temple and city parks, along river banks. There are about 400 varieties and 16 species of this tree. Beautiful sakura grows in different sizes and shapes. It blooms in spring, the flowers are colored from bright pink to white. The flowering period lasts no more than a week each year. The fruit is a black drupe, about 10 mm in diameter.

Sakura's story

Sakura- this is a garden, collective name for forms that were bred on the basis of Ever-Asian species, with double pink flowers.

Sakura usually refers to the serrated or sharp-serrated cherry. The tree in nature grows up to 25 m. In autumn, the large leaves turn purple, almost brown. Flowers are 7-9 pieces in a cyst and about 5 cm long.
Sakhalin cherry, another type with Far East, very similar to the sharp-serrated cherry. Its representatives spread widely to Sakhalin, the Primorsky Territory, and the islands of the Sea of Japan. Trees in nature up to eight meters high with a reddish trunk and large dark leaves, similar to cherry leaves. Large pink flowers bloom, up to 4 cm in diameter.
Short-bristled cherry is the third species belonging to the ancestors of the tree. It is up to 10 meters high, with umbrella-shaped, lush clusters of purple flowers.

Modern sakura is created on the basis of crossing species and attracting Iedoensis, Lannesiana, Initiza cherries.

Cultural significance

Sakura is a famous symbol of Japanese culture and Japan in general.– The Japanese have revered this plant for a long time. Almost the entire population of Japan lives on a strip of fertile plains and grows rice. If sakura blooms, it means that the earth has warmed up and rice can be planted. For the peasants of Japan, it was considered a symbol of prosperity. The samurai had a special relationship with wood; they considered it a symbol of perseverance and purity.

The tradition of viewing sakura appeared in the Heian era. Aristocrats admired the blossoms and thought about the transience and meaning of life, about purity. According to the ancient Nihonshoki chronicle, cherry blossoms first began to be admired in the third century BC. Other data says that it overtook the plum in popularity and became a symbol of the nation only in the ninth century, under Emperor Saga, during the Heian era. This was the result of a confluence of two trends.

The Japanese have actively borrowed cultural values from China since the Nara era, such as writing, art forms, Buddhism and aesthetic criteria. Refined and enlightened Chinese believed that plum flowers were beautiful, which means that the aristocracy and the imperial house were of the same opinion - they sat in plum gardens, had fun with dishes and libations, light flirting, poetry tournaments and parlor games were included. But over time, while the country developed and improved its cultural level, national self-awareness awoke and demanded something unique, its own, local.
Sakura stood on the other side. In religion, kami gods inhabited every blade of grass and pebble, and the cherry tree was no exception. The tree spirits were responsible for the entire harvest, and the cherry blossoms gave a signal for planting rice.

During the Tokugawa era, sakura was planted almost everywhere in Japan to strengthen the tradition of viewing the tree. At that time, she and her flowers became a symbol of the bushi. During the Meiji era, during Europeanization and reform, sakura began to be cut down. But then, as self-awareness became saturated with everything Western, it was drawn to the roots, after which admiring the tree became a favorite holiday in Japan. Financial and academic year, their beginning coincides with the cherry blossoms, which falls on the first of April. From Meiji times to the present, sakura on headdresses, coats of arms and shoulder straps denotes the rank of military personnel and students. Now used on the emblems of the Japanese military and police. The tree is a symbol female beauty and youth.

On March 27, 1992, the Cherry Blossom Festival was introduced. public organization"Japanese Sakura Society" The festival took place in many parts of Japan and depended on the flowering season. As soon as the trees are dressed in pink flowers, Japan gathers in the parks in couples, families and groups.

Sakura blossom

Spring, in Japanese haaru, is the time of cherry blossoms, which is associated with the most beautiful holiday in the land of the rising sun. From March to early April, the country is completely transformed, with many trees blooming with pink and white flowers, making them appear as if they are covered with flakes of snow or shrouded in clouds.

Every year, many people gather in parks, gardens, alleys, near temples and palaces to admire the breathtaking and truly beautiful spectacle. The custom is called "Khanami", it means “looking at flowers.” The tradition originated at the imperial court in the seventh century during the Tang Dynasty. During the time of Emperor Saga, holidays began to be held, where participants feasted, admired flowers and sang their beauty in poems and verses. This custom initially extended to the elite and the court of the emperor, then it became popular among the samurai, and then among the common population.

It is believed that the most beautiful trees grow in the ancient capitals of Nara, Kamakura and Kyoto. It is a pity that the flowering of the tree is very short-lived. Rain and a gust of wind are enough for the flowers to quickly fall to the ground before they have time to bloom. In Buddhism, cherry blossoms are a symbol of the impermanence of existence and frailty; in poetry it is associated with love and lost youth.

The tradition of viewing sakura is universal in Japan. Every year, the media and meteorological agencies closely monitor the beginning of the flowering season and always report it as an event of national importance. The flowering season officially opens in Tokyo in the central park of Shinjuku, where the imperial chita appears. All famous public and political figures come to the holiday.

In Tokyo, before the flowering begins, a headquarters of special 50 people is created. This headquarters is located in the office and constantly receives information about flowering from the population. Beauty connoisseurs come from all over the world to enjoy the holiday when the country is buried in pale pink flowers. People gather for picnics not only during the day, but also at night, because sakura is very beautiful even in the dark. Hanami at night is called “yosakura”, which translates as “night sakura”. A week later, a little more, the flowers fly around and remind everyone that youth and beauty are not eternal.

Use of wood in everyday life

Made from fruits sour wine or added to rice during cooking. The petals and leaves are also used - they are pickled, then the leaves are used as a shell for making sakura-mochi sweets, and the petals are turned into a fragrant seasoning. They are often dipped in green tea or boiling water during the holidays, because when they come into contact with hot water, the petals open and delight everyone with their appearance.

Bonsai

Experts believe that sakura is an ideal tree for bonsai. It grows slowly, so if you buy a plant in a store, you should not be afraid that after two years you will have to replant it outside, and the growth of the tree is hampered by constant pruning of roots and new shoots.

The plant can be purchased in special stores. Little Sakura looks like an adult tree, only in a reduced size. If you are planning to create a bonsai, then remember that the plant is alive and should be given enough attention and time, because if done incorrectly it will die.

Sakura cherry is a famous tree that has now gained popularity not only in Asia, but also in other parts of the world. Today we know 16 species and about 400 varieties. The most popular varieties are Kanzan and Kiku Shidare, since they are more resistant to any natural conditions.

fast growth. The tree grows quite quickly and reaches a great height;
the width of the top can reach 10 m in width;
sakura is used for decoration, not for growing berries;
not as productive as ordinary cherries;
bloom in May, slightly longer than regular cherry varieties;
inflorescences are large, double, pink;
Residents of Japan actively use inflorescences for food. They are eaten pickled or salted;
does not tolerate significant drops in air temperature. If the temperature drops below -15 degrees, the tree will die;
requires special care.

As you can see, there is a difference between the ordinary cherry variety and the Japanese beauty, although not so significant.

Varieties

Most Japanese teas are green tea varieties. The main difference from the Chinese is the way the leaves are processed.

Sencha is one of the most famous and sought-after drinks in Japan. He is quite famous and popular. The drink has a rich taste and amazing aroma. The color of the drink is light green.

Matcha is a common choice for tea ceremonies. Picking tea takes a long time. After this, it goes through a long process. As a result, the leaves retain beneficial substances. The result is a tasty and aromatic drink.

Genmaicha is famous for its unusual taste. A slightly cloudy, brown drink with a stunning aroma. The Japanese often drink this tea when they feel hungry. The rich taste allows you to cope with it.

Kabusecha - has a slightly sweet and very unusual taste. Picking tea takes a long time. The entire plantation is covered with a net, after which the harvest begins.

Kamatri is a very rare and ancient variety of tea that is practically never found. The tea is made by hand by roasting the leaves. It is famous for its unusual and rich taste.

Aracha - very similar to Senchi, but much sweeter. The drink turns out very thick and bright green.

Trees of the Kanzan variety are upright trees about 10 m high, with a dense conical crown. Their leaves are large, oval-shaped, green in summer and bronze in spring, turning yellow-orange in autumn. This variety is considered to bloom profusely. The flowers are bright pink, double, with 2-5 inflorescences of flowers on a long branch. The fruits are the same size as regular cherries and are delicious. This variety is frost-resistant, prefers quiet sunny places, sandy or clay soil and moderate humidity.

The Kiku shidare variety is characterized by its small growth - from 3 to 4 m in height with branches hanging down and an irregular crown. The apex is spherical and spreading. Every year the plant grows another 20-30 cm. The leaves of this variety are large, green in summer, and crimson-yellow in autumn. They are located alternately on the branches. It usually blooms in May. The inflorescences are dense, located along the entire length of the branch and hang down to the ground. The berries are tasty, slightly smaller than regular cherries, with a slight sourness. Sakura Kiku Shidare prefers light, draft-free areas with fertile soil and moderate humidity. It is also frost resistant.

Disembarkation

Japanese cherry is an ornamental tree, so it prefers light, sheltered areas. Therefore, before you buy a seedling, choose a good place to plant it. The place should be sunny, open, without stagnation groundwater, so choose small hills or slopes. Since cherries are afraid of drafts and cold winds, plant them near outbuildings or large and tall plants. It is better to plant the seedling at a distance of 1.5 or 2 m from other trees or buildings so that they do not interfere with the sakura’s full growth.

It is better to plant a young plant in early spring, but after frost or in mid-autumn, while there is still no frost. If you plant several sakura trees nearby different varieties, then you will slightly prolong their flowering and increase the yield of berries.

Humus and fertile soil must be added to each cherry hole. Before directly planting the plants, pour a solution of 18 liters of water, superphosphates and potassium sulfate into the bottom of the hole. Plant the tree so that its root collar is at ground level. Next, the plant needs to be watered abundantly if the soil is dry, and the hole should be mulched with humus, sawdust or peat.

In order not to damage the delicate roots of the cherry in the future, work near the hole must be carried out very carefully, the weeds must be pulled out with your hands and loosened shallowly.

Care

Gardeners distinguish between varietal and wild species sakura depending on the method of reproduction. For good and long flowering, it is better to give preference to a grafted tree. Usually a small plant, 1-1.5 m high with a well-developed root system, is purchased in the fall, planted in a large pot and stored until the spring warms up, when room temperature, watering periodically.

Sakura or the so-called Japanese cherry grows well in well-drained and rich nutrients soil. If the plant blooms poorly and the leaves fall off early, it means that it lacks nitrogen and potassium, which is why the tree reacts this way to their lack. In this case, add 6-8 kg of humus or compost under each tree. Phosphorus and potassium should be added at the rate of 18 g per m2.

When a tree is actively growing or actively flowering, it needs constant watering. If there is little natural precipitation during this period, then you need to manually maintain the humidity of the substrate. In early spring, it is necessary to gently trim dry or diseased branches, as well as those that interfere with the growth of the tree crown.

Before winter, young trees need to be protected from frost; adult plants no longer need this. The scion sites, trunk and lower branches are insulated with agrofibre, burlap or other thick fabric. Also, chemical treatment of the plant against pests and diseases is used several times. It is better to spray before the buds open, and repeat this procedure again after the fruits have set. If you spray again during flowering, the flowers will quickly fall off.

If trees are not regularly treated for pests, the flowers will be damaged, and the plant itself will become sick and may die.

Sometimes sakura branches begin to split. If you notice that this has happened, then you need to remove these growths and treat the cut areas with special healing preparations.

If you notice that the leaves of the tree have begun to dry out, it means that there is a fungus on the tree. You can save sakura by spraying it with a solution of sulfur and coal.

Loves Japanese cherry and ringed silkworm (Malacosoma neustria). If you notice this pest on your cherry tree, then immediately and mercilessly remove all branches and leaves that contain its eggs. It will also be necessary to carefully collect all silkworm caterpillars. But you can’t do without treating with insecticides.

For prevention various diseases, the tree crown must be treated with a nitrophen solution (dilute 200 g of the drug in 10 liters). A nettle tincture (1 kg of fresh or 400 g of dried grass, pour 10 liters of water and leave for 24 hours) or a decoction of wormwood (500 g of dried grass, pour 200 g of water and boil for 10-15 minutes) perfectly protects against aphids.

Cherry blossoms are an extraordinary spectacle that will not leave either adults or children indifferent. A tree with delicate, bright and double flowers makes you stop and admire for a long, long time. If you decide to buy and plant this beauty on your site, then carefully prepare for planting and carefully study the features of caring for Japanese cherries. And she will thank you with beautiful blooms and sweet and sour berries.

Sakura tea

Since ancient times, people have known and appreciated the characteristics of tea leaves. Tea in some countries is still a sacred drink and is served in a special way. Tea ceremonies in Asian countries are held with the aim of improving and healing the body.

Sakura tea is considered one of the most delicious drinks and is produced in a special way, stopping fermentation after harvesting. This helps preserve all the vitamins and antioxidants present in the tea leaves. Green tea contains cahetins, which give it a special taste and health benefits. Kakhetin is a strong antioxidant that restores arterial pressure and lowering blood sugar. This substance also helps in the fight against aging. Packaging in the form promotes better tea brewing, helping to preserve the aroma and beneficial features sakura

Namacha brand tea (sencha with sakura) is a Japanese-made green tea containing sakura flowers, which soothe nervous system and increase the overall tone of the body. Sakura petals have also been used since ancient times in the treatment of coughs and skin inflammations. The combination of sakura flowers and green tea creates a unique aroma and exquisite taste, the recipe of which has been passed down in Japan from generation to generation. While drinking tea, you can penetrate the secrets of Japanese culture and feel the harmony of your soul with the world around you.

Namacha tea is produced and packaged in Japan.

April 26th, 2013 admin

There is a pleasant aroma of spring in the air of Evpatoria, fruit trees and bushes are blooming. Tender pink flowers Sakura blossomed in Evpatoria in the park near Theater Square. In October last year, ten Japanese cherry trees were planted on the initiative of the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, in memory of the victims of the Chernobyl disaster and the tragedy at the Japanese nuclear power plant Fukushima-1.

Japanese cherry blossoms bloomed in many cities of Crimea - in Kerch, Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden.

Eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring, sakura rejoices in the gentle sunlight and amazes the eyes of passers-by with the lush splendor of its blossoms. The cherry blossoms won't last long, don't miss this wonderful moment, hurry up to enjoy the beauty of its wild blossoms.

They call it sakura in Japan decorative tree finely serrated cherry, and its flowers. There are more than 305 species of sakura in Japan, blooming from March 27 to mid-April in all shades of pink and white. Sakura variety. Somei Yoshino blooms with white flowers, the petals of which are colored pale pink near the stem.

Flowering similar to that of white sakura can also be observed in Russia, when the closest relative of sakura, white bird cherry, blooms in the spring.

The bird cherry blossomed under my window,
It was as if snow had wrapped the branches in silver.

Sakura for Japan is a symbol of beauty, youth and transience of life. Admiring amazing beauty cherry blossoms, the Japanese think about the frailty of life and the impermanence of existence - very soon the petals of beautiful sakura flowers will fall and the wind will pick them up and carry them away to God knows where.

In Japanese poetry, sakura is associated with passing youth and lost love. Just as sakura quickly fades, the freshness and delicate, touching beauty of flowers fades, the beauty of youth fades just as quickly, and human life passes just as fleetingly.

Sad world!
Even when the cherry blossoms...
Even then…
(Kobayashi Issa)

In the Land of the Rising Sun, cherry blossoms are a national holiday. Forecasters and biologists make forecasts for the timing of flowering for different varieties of sakura, starting from the south to the north of Japan. On television in the daily news they report where the cherry blossoms began, and tourists go there. Wanting to extend the cherry blossom holiday for a month, the Japanese follow the cherry blossoms from city to city from south to north of the country.

Anxiety is taking over!
Where, at what peak
Surrounding mountains
Long-awaited cherry blossoms
Will they be the first to bloom?
Saigyo

The holiday dedicated to admiring cherry blossoms is called Hanami in Japan. Hana in Japanese is a flower, but in the word “hana” the Japanese put the concept: “blooming”, “ best time life", "pride". The word "hana" is included in many compound words - "hanamuko" - groom, "hanayome" - bride, "hanabanashi" - brilliant, "hanagata" - theater star.

The Japanese tradition of the Hanami holiday goes back to the distant past. The first mention of the cherry blossom festival in the emperor's palace dates back to the 3rd century. The Japanese aristocracy, admiring the cherry blossoms, enjoyed music, writing poetry, light drinks, and parlor games. Sitting under the sakura, the poets composed “chains of poems” known as “renga”.

To those who love good wine,

I'll take the branch as a gift.

In those ancient times, sakura was a symbol of the harvest, and its blossoming announced the beginning of field work to plant rice. Caring for the future harvest, Japanese peasants made offerings to cherry blossoms. The favorite folk holiday of viewing cherry blossoms coincides with the arrival of the New Year in Japan.

According to ancient folk belief, every sakura flower tells about the fate of a child. In Japan, there is a sad legend that tells how the elder of the village of Sakura brought his children to the ruler Shogun to show their beaten backs, with traces of beatings with a bamboo stick inflicted by the servants of the cruel Prince Hotta. Ruler Shogun punished Prince Khot, but the prince harbored anger at the complainant and planned to take revenge on him. Prince Hota ordered Sakura and his children to be secretly captured, tied to a cherry tree and beaten to death with sticks. The legend says that since then, sakura in Japan has bloomed pink, stained with the blood of innocent children.

The Japanese believe that the souls of deceased ancestors live in sakura flowers. Contemplating the beauty of a flowering tree, the Japanese mentally communicate with their ancestors, ask them for advice and help, talk to the blooming sakura and listen to what the flowering branch whispers when the wind blows, showering their heads with rain of cherry blossom petals.

The blossoming of Sakura has always inspired and continues to inspire poets, musicians, and painters who glorify the beauty of the blossoming of youth and the transience of life.

The famous Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763–1827) is considered one of the best masters haiku poems

“How absurd
Life,” I thought, stopping
At the cherry blossoms.
***

Spring is leaving
But they hesitate in indecision
Late cherries.

***

“Cherry trees, cherry blossoms!” -
And about these old trees
Once upon a time they sang...

***
There are no strangers between us!
We are all each other's brothers
Under the cherry blossoms.

***
This is amazing -
Live as if nothing had happened
Under the cherry blossoms.