In Japan, they are a symbol of endings and beginnings, farewells and fresh starts. They celebrate beautiful times, they give cause to reminisce. A petite, pastel embodiment of good memories, memories in the making, and the hope of good times to come.
I give you…
the sakura, known in English as the cherry blossom.
The Japanese wait all year for this special time. The flowers bloom only for a short period. You blink and they are only a pretty memory. For this reason, the Japanese make a real effort to do ohanami, or to go cherry blossom viewing. Usually, ohanami involves bringing a picnic and a good supply of alcohol to share with friends as they spend time together beneath the beautiful blooms. One book I read described ohanami as a “riotous drinking feast,” which I found quite humorous. :) Riotous or not, it is a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends!
Sometimes people write haiku as they sit beneath the sakura tree. Then they tie the poem to one of it’s low-hanging branches. I had my students write haiku in English, which is challenging because you have to work within the constraints of 5 then 7 then 5 syllables. Here are some cute ones. :)
The cherry blossoms:
We eat lunch underneath them.
They are beautiful.
-Honami
I am human now.
I want to be sakura
Because they’re pretty.
-Mayu
Cherry blossoms are
Beautiful, but are soon gone.
Let’s see them right now!
-Yurie
My pictures do not do the cherry blossoms justice, but hopefully you can catch a glimmer of their beauty in these shots.
Hanami is on, rain or shine! 
Special hanami obento lunch
Here is an English and upbeat version of a traditional Japanese song called “Sakura, Sakura.” It’s really good in a beautiful, sad sort of way…enjoy!!
Oh Beth!! How beautiful. What a gift to be able to enjoy sakura across the ocean! You and your friends look so gorgeous and joyful. :)
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