Short-living sakura a spring symbol of love and hope
March 27, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH temperatures fluctuating in the transition between seasons, Shanghai's climate seems pretty weird. However there is growing evidence in some suburban areas of the arrival of spring, for example in the blooming sakura.
As one of the perennial indicators of spring days, sakura, also known as the "oriental cherry," has a very short blooming period, usually about 15 days. The blooms usually thrive from late March to early April.
The flower prefers the sunlight and a warm and humid climate, but it does not demand too much in terms of soil quality. When it blooms, the entire tree takes on the aura of a cloud or sun glow.
Usually the flowers are light pink, but change with different varieties, some even being white. Because of its condition and climate needs, the blooming sakura is always considered a symbol of early spring.
In Minhang, the history of planting sakura is not a long one -- indeed it used to be difficult to find anyone growing sakura in the district.
But in recent years, with the construction of some parks such as Minhang Sports Park in 2004 and Li'an Park in 2007, the district has become one of the prime areas for Shanghai citizens to enjoy sakura.
Each spring season when it's time for the flower to bloom, sakura lovers organize various outdoor activities on the BBS.
"Despite the traffic jams during my trip and the poor weather, I was not deterred," says a Minhang citizen whose ID is Sakulamatata on a travel BBS.
"The blooming period of sakura is just 10 days and I dare not miss the only 10 days in the entire year I can see it!"
Another Minhang sakura lover whose ID is Donovan agrees, "I like sakura because I think it's the most united flower," he says.
"All the sakura blooms at the very same time, often just in one night, and then it dies without waiting -- it's the most straight and memorable one."
Sakura has been cultivated by generations of growers since ancient times. It's believed to have originated in the Himalayas and gradually migrated from northern India to Japan.
It eventually thrived in Japan where it has become more of a symbol of the nation than a mere plant.
More varieties of sakura were developed in Japan as it became cultivated around the country. Eventually, it became the national flower.
Goddess Sakura legend
One legend says that it became the national flower because it symbolizes love and hope. The legend goes that, a long time ago, the goddess Sakura took six months to sow a pink flower everywhere she travelled, from Okinawa to Hokkaido.
People who received a flower would be consumed by love and hope. To memorialize the goddess, the Japanese named this flower after her.
Another opinion holds that sakura represents the spirit of Japanese people.
The flower has a short life and is often called "seven-day-sakura" in Japan because it lives seven days from blooming to withering. For an entire tree, the length of blooming to withering endures about 16 days.
Its short life appears to make the flower so appealing to Japanese, not only for its beauty, but its short thriving and immediate failing.
A Japanese folk poem says "If you want to know where the Japanese spirit lies, look upon the mountain of sunlight and sakura trees."
Japanese think that because life is short, a person should live like a sakura -- when you're living, you should be splendid like sakura; when your day comes, leave without hesitation.
The sakura's short bloom also reflects the spirit of the bushido -- to die at the most glorious moment.
It is said that, originally, white was the only sakura color. But when a brave samurai thought he had reached the peak of his life, he ended it by committing hara-kiri under his beloved sakura tree.
With blood flowing from his stabbed stomach, the flower gradually turned red.
Despite the fables, the real history remains on record. According to official documents, sakura in Japan has a history of over 1,000 years. It became one of the country's main flowers in the 7th century when it was adopted by a devoted emperor of the day who loved it. In the 9th century, the emperor hosted the first national sakura festival. However for a long period, the sakura was only popular among nobles.
It was not until the 17th century that it became widely appreciated by common Japanese, and later inspired various folk customs.
The Japanese government now sets aside the month from March 15 to April 15 for a "Sakura Festival," during which the streets are decorated by blooms in various hues of pink and white.
Apart from grand official ceremonies, people sit under sakura trees and have picnics with relatives and friends.
Eating delicious sushi and drinking Japanese wines with petals of sakura flying in the air has already become one of the most desired activities for Japanese.
As a symbol of love, sakura is popular among people not only in Japan, but all over the world. Every year when it blooms, it attracts lovers and couples from different places.
They stay and they pray. Everyone wants the falling petals to bring perfect love, and with the presence of sakura, they hope the love will never leave.
As one of the perennial indicators of spring days, sakura, also known as the "oriental cherry," has a very short blooming period, usually about 15 days. The blooms usually thrive from late March to early April.
The flower prefers the sunlight and a warm and humid climate, but it does not demand too much in terms of soil quality. When it blooms, the entire tree takes on the aura of a cloud or sun glow.
Usually the flowers are light pink, but change with different varieties, some even being white. Because of its condition and climate needs, the blooming sakura is always considered a symbol of early spring.
In Minhang, the history of planting sakura is not a long one -- indeed it used to be difficult to find anyone growing sakura in the district.
But in recent years, with the construction of some parks such as Minhang Sports Park in 2004 and Li'an Park in 2007, the district has become one of the prime areas for Shanghai citizens to enjoy sakura.
Each spring season when it's time for the flower to bloom, sakura lovers organize various outdoor activities on the BBS.
"Despite the traffic jams during my trip and the poor weather, I was not deterred," says a Minhang citizen whose ID is Sakulamatata on a travel BBS.
"The blooming period of sakura is just 10 days and I dare not miss the only 10 days in the entire year I can see it!"
Another Minhang sakura lover whose ID is Donovan agrees, "I like sakura because I think it's the most united flower," he says.
"All the sakura blooms at the very same time, often just in one night, and then it dies without waiting -- it's the most straight and memorable one."
Sakura has been cultivated by generations of growers since ancient times. It's believed to have originated in the Himalayas and gradually migrated from northern India to Japan.
It eventually thrived in Japan where it has become more of a symbol of the nation than a mere plant.
More varieties of sakura were developed in Japan as it became cultivated around the country. Eventually, it became the national flower.
Goddess Sakura legend
One legend says that it became the national flower because it symbolizes love and hope. The legend goes that, a long time ago, the goddess Sakura took six months to sow a pink flower everywhere she travelled, from Okinawa to Hokkaido.
People who received a flower would be consumed by love and hope. To memorialize the goddess, the Japanese named this flower after her.
Another opinion holds that sakura represents the spirit of Japanese people.
The flower has a short life and is often called "seven-day-sakura" in Japan because it lives seven days from blooming to withering. For an entire tree, the length of blooming to withering endures about 16 days.
Its short life appears to make the flower so appealing to Japanese, not only for its beauty, but its short thriving and immediate failing.
A Japanese folk poem says "If you want to know where the Japanese spirit lies, look upon the mountain of sunlight and sakura trees."
Japanese think that because life is short, a person should live like a sakura -- when you're living, you should be splendid like sakura; when your day comes, leave without hesitation.
The sakura's short bloom also reflects the spirit of the bushido -- to die at the most glorious moment.
It is said that, originally, white was the only sakura color. But when a brave samurai thought he had reached the peak of his life, he ended it by committing hara-kiri under his beloved sakura tree.
With blood flowing from his stabbed stomach, the flower gradually turned red.
Despite the fables, the real history remains on record. According to official documents, sakura in Japan has a history of over 1,000 years. It became one of the country's main flowers in the 7th century when it was adopted by a devoted emperor of the day who loved it. In the 9th century, the emperor hosted the first national sakura festival. However for a long period, the sakura was only popular among nobles.
It was not until the 17th century that it became widely appreciated by common Japanese, and later inspired various folk customs.
The Japanese government now sets aside the month from March 15 to April 15 for a "Sakura Festival," during which the streets are decorated by blooms in various hues of pink and white.
Apart from grand official ceremonies, people sit under sakura trees and have picnics with relatives and friends.
Eating delicious sushi and drinking Japanese wines with petals of sakura flying in the air has already become one of the most desired activities for Japanese.
As a symbol of love, sakura is popular among people not only in Japan, but all over the world. Every year when it blooms, it attracts lovers and couples from different places.
They stay and they pray. Everyone wants the falling petals to bring perfect love, and with the presence of sakura, they hope the love will never leave.
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