Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees: The Final Chapter
In previous articles, I talked about my trip to Japan during the cherry blossom season in Northern Japan. I shared actual pictures of some of the wonderful cherry trees that were in full bloom and talked about the wonderful Hanami celebration which is a Cherry Blossom Viewing event that is celebrated annually in Japan. In my third article, I went through the history of how the Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees came to Washington, D.C. which is now a main attraction there. So this is my final post on the subject of the Japan’s cherry blossom tree.
Did you know that Japan has over 200 different varieties of cherry blossoms throughout its country? The most popular of all these different varieties is the Somei Yoshino, which has a flower described as a white flower with a hint of pink. Another description of its flower is that it is color a pale pink. Not only is this tree the most popular, it is also known as the common cherry tree.
I'm sure you think The Cherry Blossom Capital of the World is in Japan. But it's not. The title of The Cherry Blossom Capital of the World is actually a city in the United States. The honor of this title belongs to the city of Macon, Georgia which has over 350,000 Sakura trees.
The first cherry blossom tree was discovered by a realtor by the name of William A. Fickling Sr., who noticed in 1949 a pink tree in his backyard. At the time he didn’t know what kind of tree it was until he was in Washington, D.C. in 1952 and saw the same tree there. He found out that the tree was a Yoshino cherry tree.
William A Fickling, Sr. learned how to breed more cherry trees and so he shared them with the Macon City community. In time, this tree began to spread all over Macon. Now it has so many cherry trees that it annually celebrates the International Cherry Blossom Festival there.
Some other things about cherry blossoms:
Did you know that cherry blossoms are Japan’s National Flower?
Did you know that picnicking under cherry trees is a Japanese tradition called Hanami?
Did you know that cherry blossoms make the best selling fragrance in the United States?
Did you know that cherry blossoms are said to be native to the Himalayas?
Did you know that cherry blossom is commonly known in Japan as Sakura?
Did you know that in Japan, the cherry blossoms symbolize clouds because of its blooms?
Did you know that there is a very famous cherry blossom song in Japan called, “Sakura, Sakura”?
According to Wikipedia, “Sakura is a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, the season of cherry blossoms. Contrary to popular belief, the song did not originate in ancient time; it was a popular urban melody of the Edo period and was adopted as a piece for beginning koto students in Tokyo Academy of Music.”
When I was young and learning to play piano, this was one of my most favorite tunes. Until this day, I fondly remember its melodic and serene sound. If you get the chance to go to YouTube, you can probably find a rendition of this beautiful song. The following are the beautiful lyrics in Japanese and English:
Ya-yo-I-no so-ra-wa,
Mi-wa-ta-su ka-gi-ri,
Ka-su-mi-ka ku-mo-ka,
Ni-o-i-zo i-zu-ru
I-za-ya,
I-za-ya,
Mi—ni—
Yu-ka-n
Ni-o-i-zo i-zu-ru
I-za-ya,
I-za-ya,
Mi—ni—
Yu-ka-n
In the spring sky
As far as eyes can see
Is it fog or is it a cloud?
The scent!
Now
Right now
Let’s go and see
The scent!
Now
Right now
Let’s go and see
Above is my daughter taking a picture of the cherry blossom tree near our hotel in Japan. It was a marvelous trip full of the Spring spirit of the Sakura Cherry Blossoms. We will never forget our experience traveling during this special time of beauty and grace. I highly recommend a visit to Japan during Cherry Blossom Season!
like cherry blossoms or ginkgo leaves;
for a while they are beautiful,
and then they fade and die."
Author: Ruth Ozeki
Thank-you for joining me in the final chapter of my Cherry Blossom series. If you would like to see other posts that I have created, please click HERE.
Last picture was self taken.
Thank you so much for all this information on the cherry trees in Japan and Macon, Georgia! I've been to Washinton DC when the cherry trees were supposed to be in bloom, but I think it was too early for most of them! I do have a few photos of them from my 2009 visit. Anyway, I also loved hearing about the Japanese traditions and the song about the cherry trees! I'll have to go listen to it! Have a wonderful day!
@violetmed, thank-you for visiting my post and for your wonderful comments and support. I loved the cherry blossom trees when I went to Japan and wanted to write about them. I hope you do hear the Sakura song. It is very lovely and it reminds me of the cherry blossoms as they gently fall from the tree to the ground. Yes and Macon, Georgia really is the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World. I was amazed too by this fact! Have a wonderful week ahead @violetmed!
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Good evening cabbagepatch.Thank you for introducing Japanese cherry blossoms.I love cherry blossoms and I am looking forward to spring.I was happy to see your daughter today. She is behind hers,you can easily imagine that it is a beautiful person:)
Thank-you so much for the wonderful comments and your support. I am very happy that you enjoyed the article and my daughters back....lol :D. Just kidding! She is a very good daughter and I am lucky to have her. I am also lucky to have you as a friend! Please have an enjoyable week. Hopefully you will have time to rest and enjoy yourself! :D
Had no idea that Macon Georgia was the cherry blossom capital of the world. And they all have grown since 1946. That's pretty amazing detail right there.
Thank-you @molometer. I really appreciate your comments and support. I probably need to explain why I stopped visiting other people's posts but I will do a post on why either today or tomorrow. I also need to do some soul searching on my own to put everything into perspective. You really are a good person who deserves better. I hope you are doing really well. I will stop by to look at one of your articles. Please have a good week ahead. Thank-you for reaching out to comment.
Sakura is one of my favourite tunes as well. I play an arrangement for guitar written by Yuquijiro Yocoh. Very beautiful. Here it is as played by John Williams.
Thanks for sharing.
@gardenbsquared you really touched my inner essence by your comment and attaching that beautiful rendition of Sakura. Words can't express my deepest appreciation for this very kind gesture. At this moment I am playing it while I comment. It is such a healing song for me. Thank-you for sharing!!!
I didn't attach the ecoTrain tag because I didn't want the passengers on the train to have to vote for my post. I know the limit is 4 and sometimes I really like to post a very different type of thing other than my standard ones. I recently found writing a very healing and therapeutic process for me. Your group is very kind and rare. There is a very special quality of selfless people among you. Thank-you so much!..... Cabbagepatch :D
Thank you. I'm new on the ecoTrain to. And for me it's also a fantastic experience. While I was reading your post I was thinking Sakura, I know that. But it took a few seconds before I realised: 'I used to play that'. Beautiful tune.
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STOPThe last picture is good. Your daughter is taking pictures of the cherry blossoms that she loves. Love it for your daughter You take pictures. It is a picture full of love. Thank you for writing my favorite cherry blossom article.