Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Art and Culture

The flowering cherry tree is one of the clich Western images of Japan, conjured up along with geisha, sushi, and samurai. However, within the country itself, the cherry blossoms have been a cultural event for over a thousand years. The annual hanami, cherry blossom viewing parties, the many cultural symbolic interpretations of the cherry blossoms, and the extensive use of the blossoms in art, for both their innate beauty and the symbolism they carry, have ensured the blossoming trees position in the cultural identity of Japan. The cherry blossom holds much symbolism within Japan. According to the Buddhist tradition, the breathtaking but brief beauty of the blossoms symbolizes the transient nature of life. The flowers last for at most a few weeks, but during that time, both the mountains and the cities are full of the delicate pink flowers, be the trees wild or cultivated. The traditional Japanese values of purity and simplicity are thought to be reflected in the form and color of the blossoms. (Osamu, 1983) The cherry blossom is also tied with the samurai culture, representing the fleeting nature of the samurais life and symbolic of drops of blood. (Frederic, 2002) The Yoshida Hiroshi print Cherry Tree at Kawagoe is part of the series Eight Scenes of Cherry Blossoms, which depicts a variety of views during the cherry blossom season. In each picture the blossoms are in a different state of development, rather than each depicting the blossoms at the height of their season and beauty. This highlights the transient nature of the blossoms which makes them all the more beautiful. One of the prints, Yozakura in the Rain depicts two brightly clad women under umbrellas in the middle distance gazing at slightly bedraggled trees in the background. The distance by which the viewer is removed from the events of the print contributes to the sense of melancholy and transitivity depicted in the print. This contrasts with another from the series, Arashiyama which depicts a boating scene on a river. The cherries blossoms are just beginning to emerge from their buds and the crew team passing the pleasure boats on the river adds a level of energy and joie de vivre to the print. The other prints in this series depict scenes that are as dissimilar as these two, but all of which are tied to the variety of meanings associated with cherry blossoms. As cherry blossoms are symbolically tied with the samurai, they are depicted in several different forms of art tied with samurai culture. The symbol was used during the samurai period, so it is little wonder that the flowers appear in many objects of the day, such as folding screens, sliding doors, kimono and lacquer ware, as well as depictions of Samurai. Pheasants Under Cherry and Willow Trees and Irises and Mist is a pair of six panel folding screens attributed to Kano Ryokei, which as the pieces title suggests, depicts a nature scene, including a blossoming cherry tree. The background of images is gold foil, a characteristic that states that the screens were probably intended for the use of a wealthy daimyo, or samurai baron. The 1884 woodblock print, Warrior Taira-no-Tadanori about to sleep under a Cherry Tree, centers on a gnarled cherry tree whose blooms are slowly drifting to the dark blue grey ground, with a poem to the left and the warrior dominating the right half of the print, removing his armor and preparing to rest. This print was done during

the early Meiji period while the samurai were quickly losing their power, and the imagery of fading beauty and time passing would be quite prominent. The cherry blossom festival of Japan is a time of parties so it is little wonder than many of the images of the cherry blossoms depict such scenes. Produced during the Kanei era of 1624-1644, Partying Beneath Blossoming Cherry Trees by Iwasa Matabei depicts two well-dressed gentlemen picnicking beneath cherry trees in the company of a young woman. The 3 panel Cherry Blossom viewing at Asukayama by Torii Kiyonaga was produced during the Edo period and shows men and women having a lively time while surrounded by the flowering trees. Enjoying Cherry Blossoms by the Sumida River, an 1887 woodblock print by Toyohara Chikanobu shows Japanese women in Western dress about to go boating on the river during the cherry blossom season. These three pieces span three eras of Japanese history, but depict similar scenes of merriment. In all three the blossoms are at their fullest, but not yet falling, state. In modern Japan, the blossoms continue to be celebrated by hanami, cherry blossom viewing excursions. While the original intent of these parties was to view the blossoms and focus on the transient nature of life, the picnics now present a more Eat, drink, and be merry element. Lavish picnics with plentiful sake and karaoke for entertainment are now the norm, but the tradition continues beneath the beautiful blossoms. The image of the cherry blossom, with its close connections with spring, is widely used in Japanese advertising, from candy to a type of film to express trains. This connection to spring, as well as innocence, delicacy and simplicity have made the blossoms popular with events and products tied to weddings and school openings. ( Kobayashi, 2002) The Japanese school term begins in April, making the cherry blossom much like the American symbol of the apple in relation to the first day of school. Cherry blossoms have been prominent in Japanese art and culture since time unrecorded. The first mention of the blossoms appears in the first history of Japan, written in 712. (Osamu, 1983) Because the blossoms are so interwoven throughout symbolism, art and society of Japan, it is likely that these blossoms will be important to the culture as long as the trees continue to bloom each spring.

The Cherry Blossom is a cultural icon in Japan. Renowned for its vibrant yet ephemeral beauty, Cherry Blossoms have obtained a remarkable symbolic significance. Learn more about their importance and examples of their use as a symbol here. Cherry Blossoms

As the yellows and oranges of autumn yield to the joie de vivre of spring, the birth of a flower renowned for its magnificent yet fleeting beauty is much awaited and commemorated the Cherry Blossoms. Cherry Blossoms are flowers of the cherry blossom tree known in Japan as Sakura. Although not entirely indigenous to Japan, it is in this country that the blossoming of Cherry Blossoms is greeted with a euphoric ceremonial reception called Hanami where the Japanese go out with their friends or loved ones to simply enjoy the breathtaking pink-and-white splendor of Cherry Blossoms. Being considered a much-loved cultural icon in Japan, Cherry Blossoms have inevitably entered the Japanese psyche. Cherry Blossom symbolism has become a staple in Japans paintings, films, poems and all other art forms. Here are the primary concepts represented by Cherry Blossoms in Japan and beyond: Symbol of Transience Although Cherry Blossoms can put up such a spectacular show, their existence is brief. This is the main reason why the Japanese people invests time and effort to vigilantly track down Cherry Blossoms so as not to miss a second of its passing time on earth. Cherry Blossoms therefore, are a reminder of our humanity - our mortality. Buddhisms concept of mono no aware teaches the same thing. Like Cherry Blossoms cycle of exceptional beauty followed by a quick death, a human beings life can be given and taken at any moment. During World War 2, Japanese pilots on suicide missions (Kamikazes) painted the figure of the Cherry Blossom on their planes, while some brought branches of these flowers to accompany them in death. Human life is not everlasting. Humanitys evanescence, epitomized by Cherry Blossoms, reminds us that life is too short to squander away. We have to relish every breathing moment we have left and live life to the fullest. Symbol of Hope As the Cherry Blossom season coincides with both the fiscal and calendar years in Japan, it marks the arrival of new beginnings students start their first day of school and new employees start their first day of work. The intense and vibrant blossoming of Cherry Blossoms bestows us with the license to hope and dream of greater things. It likewise gives us the sanction to forget past disappointments and failures and to look ahead with optimism and enthusiasm. Symbol of Power In China, on the other hand, Cherry Blossoms represent feminine beauty. The females greatest weapon is her good looks. By exploiting ones beauty and sexuality, a woman can always command. Men are constantly all ears to her beck and call. Consequently, a Cherry Blossom is an image of feminine dominance. In a less aggressive note, love, which is a feminized emotion is also symbolized by Cherry Blossoms.

Symphony of Cherry Blossoms Like a symphony played in allegretto, the blossoming of Cherry Blossoms is dazzling, swift and brief. It is natures opus to mortality, hope, power and love. Though the flowers themselves are ephemeral, Cherry Blossom symbolism will endure for eternity.