What is sakura and what is it dear to the Japanese

Symbol of Japanese culture

Today, literally anyone can answer the question about what is sakura. At the end of March and early April, this is especially spoken of. Everyone has heard more than once that in the spring for the Japanese there is a real miracle - cherry blossoms. Beautiful white-pink clouds of flowers cover the gardens and public gardens. What is Sakura for Japanese and why is it so dear to them? Let's try to understand.

This Japanese cherry has long been considered a true symbol of this oriental culture, and its flowering in Japan is a favorite holiday. Sakura has long been sung in poems and songs, flaunts in the pictures of the best artists. Many Japanese dances are dedicated to her .

Agricultural holiday

Some historians believe that the cult of sakura arose long ago in connection with the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. The fact is that just beginning of April, the Japanese consider the arrival of this spring. At this time, and gently pink and white flowers of the local cherry blossom. It was believed that the more luxuriant they bloom, the fuller and more generous the harvest 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 the majority of Japanese about what is sakura, then almost all of them will answer that this is the abode of the souls of their ancestors. These people believe: admiring the beautiful flowers, they communicate with their dead relatives, ask them for grace for the earthly life, feel unity with them.

Speed of Life

For many Japanese 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 gently-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 varieties of cherry blossoms, which differ in color, pomp of flowers, different 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 in the spring they bring aesthetic pleasure to humble contemplators. In our latitudes in natural conditions it is rather problematic to meet cherry tomatoes, even, rather, it is impossible. The flowers of our bird-cherries are very similar to its tender buds. However, we do not want to go to the forest for some reason and admire the white fragrant flowers.

Arguing about what is sakura, one should also mention the concept of "khans". This is a whole movement (if you like, the teaching or process) of admiring flowers in Japan. When some of the beautiful creations of nature blossom, locals gather around them and arrange fun family picnics. There they eat and drink wine, communicate with relatives, speak kind words to each other or just remain silent, looking at the gentle pink clouds of flowers, paying homage to nature and beauty.

Unfortunately, our society has a slightly different idea of picnics.