Japan's Cherry Blossoms

Hanami (Flower Viewing) Season

One of the things most synonymous with Japan is cherry blossoms. The blossoms, which arrive primarily in the spring, bloom for roughly two weeks, creating a south-to-north wave as the weather warms in the country. This time of year is called hanami, which translates as "flower viewing."

Some facts about hanami:
-> The custom of flower viewing dates back to the 8th century.
-> The custom initially involved viewing plum blossoms, which precede the cherry blossoms each year. Within a few centuries, the focus shifted to cherry blossoms, and cherry blossoms are what are referenced in the 11th century novel The Tale of Genji.
-> The appearance of cherry blossoms is a time for both company parties and family gatherings.
-> Cherry blossoms are seen in Japan as a metaphor for life, as the blossoms are beautiful and fleeting.
-> Scholars says the blossoms reflect that Japanese culture has a singular love of impermanence. Writer Lafcadio Hearn, who became a Japanese citizen, once remarked that this appreciation of impermanence was the "genius of Japanese civilization."
-> The blossoms appear as early as January on the southern island of Okinawa, and bloom in the northernmost part of the country (Hokkaido) by late April to early May.
-> The cherry blossoms along the Potomac were sent from Japan in 1912. A few years after WWII, buds from stock in the US were sent to Tokyo to repopulate species that had declined during the war.

There are some cherry blossom links in another section of this newsletter.

I'm participating in a giveaway of Christian books. Please click here or on the picture above to check out the books.

I'm also participating in a giveaway of historical fiction books. Please click here or on the picture above to check out these books. Please note that most of these books are more typical historical fiction as opposed to Christian historical fiction.

In my book, The Samurai's Heart, my heroine can smell the cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle. Her friend tells her that it's impossible, as the blossoms have a light scent. This is true, but it's also a Japanese plot device. A character that can smell cherry blossoms is in a highly agitated state, and this describes my character's feelings at that point in the book.

The picture above is a picture of cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle. Click on the picture or click here to see more pictures of cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle.

Below are a few other links to some of the most notable cherry blossom viewing spots in all of Japan. Please enjoy.

Osaka Castle Park - Click here for Osaka Castle viewing. The castle grounds have over 4,000 trees. As I used to live near Osaka, I have viewed the flowers here myself.

Ueno Park - One of Tokyo's most famous cherry blossoms spots. Click here. Ueno has different varieties of cherry blossoms, used to prolong the season as the blooms don't all come at the same time.

Click here to see a list of projected best spots for cherry blossom viewing in 2022. Lots of pictures.

A reminder to everyone. Subscribers to this newsletter receive a free copy of my novella, The Samurai's Honor. If you don't have a copy, please click here or on the book cover to download. (You will be asked if you wish to subscribe to this newsletter.)

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Walt Mussell

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Author Walt Mussell · 2915 Promenade Place · Buford, GA 30519 · USA