APRIL - JAPANESE FLOWER CALENDAR
CHERRY - SAKURA
Cherry blossom symbolises the beauty and shortnessof life. Transient, in Japanese poetry it is called mono no aware which means exquisite sadness. Cherry blossom stands for perfection and is glorified as no other flower in Japan. The seasonal event of cherry blossom viewing is still to this day very popular, a time for strolling under the trees, drinking sake and enjoying in full the short but spectacular beauty of the blossom.
This is a very happy time for the Japanese and these celebrations go back to the ninth century but the branches are not used in Ikebana as the blossom dies quickly and symbolises sudden death.
In the 8th century cherry blossom became a national flower and still holds that title today. It doesn't last as long as the plum so it is thought to be more valuable as it here for such a short time. The custom of drinking sake under the cherry trees comes from an early Emperor who was out on a boat when petals from the wild cherry fell into his cup. The king recognised the beauty of the wild cherry and from this event came the saying" without wine who can properly enjoy the sight of cherry blossom ?"
Haiku for cherry blossom
Stillness
The sound of the petals
Sifting down together
Chora
