Sakura blossom time (part 2)
CALENDAR TIME FLOWER OF SAKURA
Japanese cherry blossoms stretch from subtropical to temperate latitudes, so all seasonal changes smoothly flow from south to north. On the southernmost island of Japan, Okinawa, the first sakura buds open in January, while on the northern island of Hokkaido, sakura can bloom only by summer.
The beginning and duration of sakura blossom varies from year to year. It is officially believed that in Tokyo, sakura blooms from March 27 to April 7, in Sapporo from March 12 to April 20, in Kyoto from April 4 to 16, in Osaka from April 5 to 13, however, these figures are approximate. If the weather is warm before the flowering season begins, sakura can bloom one to two weeks earlier, and if it is preceded by cold weather, then the first buds may appear much later than the planned date.
Sakura blossom time The sakura blossom season is relatively short. After the opening of the first buds, the trees stand in full bloom from a few days or even hours to a week, after which the flowers begin to quickly fall off. Strong winds or rain can further shorten the flowering period. That is why, with the approach of spring in Japan, sakura blossom forecasts are widely popular, which are reported daily on radio and television, in newspapers and magazines about which cities and provinces of sakura are already in full bloom and where it will bloom from day to day.
After the season opens, a wave of cherry blossoms gradually moves north, accompanied by mass festivities, so many Japanese people move around the country after it to be able to enjoy sakura blossoms throughout spring. And for those who want to enjoy sakura all year round, many museums in Japan organize exhibitions that use the effect of aromatherapy. When viewing paintings depicting sakura blossoms, visitors can feel the sweet aroma of sakura flowers. It is believed that it has a tonic effect and relieves fatigue.
ABOUT SAKURA FLOWERING HOLIDAY – TRADITIONS
Sakura Blossom Time Hanami is one of the most popular spring holidays in Japan. Admire the flowers are a large company, which may consist of family members, friends, relatives, colleagues at work or study. Hundreds of people spread rugs, blankets or mats on the lawns of parks and have fun picnics. Usually bring food, sake and other drinks that they bring from home or buy in tents located nearby. Among the treats of the holiday by the khans, the most popular are onigiri rice balls and a rice flour snack called “dango”.
Every year they carefully prepare for the holiday. At the appointed hour, friends, relatives or colleagues gather in a certain place, which, as a rule, is occupied in the morning. Long before the start of the celebration, either a rug with the family name or company name and the exact time for the start of the picnic spreads on this place, or a person sits until the whole group approaches. Sometimes there are several people waiting, and during the day they replace each other, and on duty they also sign in advance. Occupying a place for khans is considered a common practice. No one will be surprised to see a young man in a business suit sitting early in the morning under sakura blossoms in a park and waiting for his colleagues. Usually, this work is assigned to new employees of the company, which is going to celebrate with khans. In Japan, there are also special agencies that send one of their employees, Benria-san, to take a place under the blossoming sakura, on the client’s request, since there are much fewer places for khans than there are people who want to. work, get together with friends and enjoy the conversation, seeing flowers, drink sake and make new friends. Often the opportunity to admire the blossoming sakura serves as an excuse rather than a true reason for the celebration. In Japan, there is even a comic proverb “hana yori dango”, or literally “dumplings before flowers,” which alludes to the priorities of most people going to the khans. For employees, admiring sakura provides an excellent opportunity to make contacts, improve relationships in the company or move up the career ladder. And yet, the khans are considered a kind of pilgrimage, during which people go to places known throughout the country as sakura and their beautiful views. At the same time, during the contemplation of cherry blossoms, the Japanese consume a fair amount of sake. In Japan, during the khans, there is a special ritual called “hiccups”, reminiscent of the competition “who drinks more and remains on his feet.” The Japanese have a very developed spirit of competition, so they drink quite a lot under sakura blossoms.
