日本の特別な花

The cherry blossom (sakura桜) is the unofficial national flower of Japan. It is probably most beloved flower among the Japanese. The blooming of cherry blossoms signifies not only the arrival of spring but the beginning of the new academic year for schools (Japanese school year starts in April) and of the new fiscal year for businesses. The cherry blossoms are symbols of a bright future. Also, their delicacy suggests purity, transience, melancholy and has poetic appeal.

During this period, the weather forecasts include reports on the advance of sakura zensen 桜前線 (sakura front) as the blossoms sweep north. As the trees begin to bloom, the Japanese participate in hanami　花見 (flower viewing). People gather under the tress, eat picnic lunches, drink sake, view the cherry blossom flowers and have a great time. In cities, viewing cherry blossoms in the evening 夜桜(yozakura) is also popular. Against the dark sky, the cherry blossoms in full bloom are especially beautiful.

Here's a picture of some cherry blossoms at night in Japan.

However, there is also a dark side. The Japanese cherry blossoms open all at once and seldom last more than a week. From the way they quickly and gracefully fall, they were used by militarism to beautify the death of the suicide units. To samurai in the ancient times or soldiers during World Wars there was no greater glory than dying on the battlefield like scattered cherry blossoms.

Sakura-yu　桜湯 is a tea-like drink made by steeping a salt-preserved cherry blossom in hot water. It is often served at wedding and other auspicious occasions. Sakura-mochi　桜餅 is a dumpling containing sweet bean paste wrapped in a salt-preserved cherry-tree leaf.

Here's a picture of some cherry blossom tea.

Here is a picture of some of the cherry blossom mochi.

A sakura also means a shill who raves about his mock purchase. Originally referring to people who were admitted to watch plays for free. The word came about because cherry blossoms are free for viewing.

The cherry blossom is synonymous with the word "flower (hana 花)". Hana yori dango 花より団子(dumplings over flowers) is a proverb that expresses the practical is preferred over the aesthetic. In hanami, people often seem to be more interested in eating foods or drinking alcohol than appreciating the beauty of the flowers.

There are quite a few Japanese proverbs including flowers. Flower is "hana" in Japanese. Although "hana" also means "nose,"　鼻 its context should not cause much confusion. Different characters are used when writing them in kanji.

Here are some expressions including the word flowers.

Iwanu ga hana　言わぬが花

Literally translated as "Not speaking is the flower." It means, "Some things are better left unsaid; Silence is golden."

Takane no hana　高嶺の花
Literally translated as "Flower on a high peak." It means, "something out of one's reach." Some things are beautiful to look at, but realistically, there is no way you can get them. The objects might be something that you want very much but can't have them.

Hana ni arashi　花に嵐
There is a famous Japanese saying, "Tsuki ni muragumo, hana ni arashi (Clouds over the moon, a storm over blossoms)." This idiom is a shortened version. It means that life often brings misfortune at the time of great happiness.

Hana yori dango　花より団子

Literally translated as "Dumplings rather than flowers." It means that the practical is preferred over the aesthetic. In spring, Japanese traditionally go to the countryside or parks for flower viewing (hanami). However, they often seem to be more interested in eating foods or drinking alcohol than appreciating the beauty of the flowers. It shows a part of human nature.

Tonari no hana wa akai　隣の花は赤い

Literally translated as "The neighbor's flowers are red." It means that the grass is always greener on the other side. There is also another saying, "Tonari no shibafu wa aoi (The neighbor's lawn is green)."

Other Idioms

Hanashi ni hana ga saku
話に花が咲く To have a lively discussion.
Hana o motaseru
花を持たせる To let someone have the credit for.
Hana o sakaseru
花を咲かせる To succeed.
Hana to chiru
花と散る To die gracefully.
Ryoute ni hana
両手に花 To have a double advantage,
to be between two pretty women.

Flower Vocabulary

asagao
朝顔 morning glory
kiku
菊 chrysanthemum
suisen
水仙 daffodil
bara
薔薇 rose
yuri
百合 lily
himawari
ひまわり sunflower
chuurippu
チューリップ tulip
hinagiku
ひなぎく daisy
ayame
あやめ iris
ran
蘭 orchid
kosumosu
コスモス cosmos
sumire
すみれ violet
tanpopo
タンポポ dandelion
ajisai
あじさい hydrangea
suiren
睡蓮 water lily

Here are some of the Sakura we had at the UW.

The Quad

Pictures:
The first picture of sakura at night were taken from Odawara at this site.
http://www.geocities.jp/hiphotoga/wallpaper/image/odawara.jpg
The picture of the Sakura tea can be found at this site.
http://japan.oops.jp/sakurayu.html
For the Sakura mochi, they can be found at this website.
http://www.wa-gasi.net/
For the Cherry trees at the UW they can be found on the UW website below.
http://www.washington.edu/