Symbol of Japanese culture
Today, literally anyone can answer the question of what sakura is. In late March and early April, this is said a lot. Everyone has heard more than once that in the spring a real miracle happens for the Japanese - sakura blossoms. Beautiful white-pink clouds of flowers cover gardens and squares.
What is sakura for the Japanese and why is it so dear to them? Let's try to figure it out.
This Japanese cherry has long been considered to be a true symbol of this oriental culture, and its flowering in Japan is a favorite holiday. Sakura has long been praised in poems and songs, flaunted in paintings by the best artists. Many Japanese dances are dedicated to her .
Agricultural holiday
Some historians believe that the cult of sakura arose a long time ago in connection with the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. The fact is that just the beginning of April, the Japanese consider the arrival of this spring. At this time, the delicate pink and white flowers of the local cherry blossom. It was believed that the more magnificent they bloom, the fuller and more generous the crop will be. Therefore, some even talked with trees, danced to them and sang songs in order to appease them and thereby provide themselves with food for the next year.
Communication with ancestors
If you ask most Japanese people what sakura is, almost all of them will answer that this is the abode of the souls of their ancestors. These people believe: while admiring the beautiful flowers, they communicate with their deceased relatives, ask them for grace for earthly life, and feel unity with them.
Transience of life
For many Japanese people who lived a little richer than ordinary farmers, the answer to the question: “What is sakura?” would be a little different. They consider it a symbol of the inexorable transience of life. Japanese cherry blossoms only five to seven days, after which it drops soft pink petals on young grass and asphalt paths. Many believe that sakura is a semblance of human life: it is just as beautiful, but also short.
Some facts
Modern breeders already know more than one hundred and fifty sakura varieties, which are distinguished by color, splendor of flowers, various climatic preferences, etc. Any guide to Japan will draw your attention to the fact that most of these varieties do not bear fruit, but simply bring aesthetic pleasure to humble contemplators in the spring.
In our latitudes in natural conditions it is quite problematic to find sakura, even, rather, it is impossible. The flowers of our bird cherry are very similar to its tender buds. However, for some reason no one here wants to go to the forest and admire the fragrant white flowers.
In discussing what sakura is, the concept of “khans” should also be mentioned. This is a whole movement (if you like, a teaching or a process) of admiring flowers in Japan. When certain beautiful creations of nature blossom, the locals gather around them and have fun family picnics. There they eat and drink wine, communicate with relatives, say good words to each other or simply remain silent, looking at the soft pink clouds of flowers, paying tribute to nature and beauty.
Unfortunately, our society has a slightly different idea of picnics.