Cherry Blossoms in Osaka
I think I can safely say one of the most iconic symbols of Japan is the cherry blossom. But I wonder how much people actually know about the history of Japan and its various, beautiful blossoms?
There’s a practice in Japan, called 花見, hanami. It literally means to go flower viewing. It’s a really popular springtime activity here. Although, where I am, the weather hasn’t been quite…nice enough to picnic under the blossoms and just relax with friends.
In fact, up until last weekend, most of our blossoms hadn’t even opened. In Osaka, the plum blossoms come long before the cherry blossoms. They’re beautiful with a deep, rich, pink. Their smell is lovely, to be sure…
But they’re not cherry blossoms. I grew up outside of DC, we have the Cherry Blossom festival every year. Those trees, in fact, were a gift from the Japanese. They’re all around where I live. It’s weird little slice of home to see those delicate pink flowers hanging above my head. I could recognize the scent of a cherry blossom out of a group of flowers, I can assure you.
I know this is a short post, and for that I do apologize. But really, there aren’t words for me to properly explain how moved I feel by walking under the blossoming trees. If you ever get a chance to come to Japan, I sincerely hope you can stay until spring…
Because to me, you don’t really see the true beauty of Japan until you’re sitting under the blossoms.
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