Hanami
Hanami (花見, “flower viewing”) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers; flowers (“Hana”) are in this case almost always referring to those of the cherry (“sakura”) or, less frequently, plum (“ume”) trees. From the end of March to early May, cherry trees bloom all over Japan, and around the first of February on the island of Okinawa. The blossom forecast (桜前線 sakura-zensen) “cherry blossom front” is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two. In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during the daytime or at night. In some contexts, the Sino-Japanese term kan’ō (観桜, view-cherry) is used instead, particularly for festivals. Hanami at night is called yozakura (夜桜) “night sakura”. In many places such as Ueno, Parktemporary paper lanterns are hung for yozakura. On the island of Okinawa, decorative electric lanterns are hung in the trees for evening enjoyment, such as on the trees ascending Mt. Yale, near Motobu Town, or at the Nakijin Castle. Not only is sakura the national flower of Japan, but the cherry blossoms also take on added spiritual meaning in the context of Buddhist themes of mortality, mindfulness, and living in the present moment.
Because cherry blossoms are beautiful and fleeting the blooms often last no more than two weeks they have become symbolic of the impermanence of beauty. Cherry blossoms are often featured in works of art and even tattoos to depict the Japanese concept of mono no aware, the wistful realization that “nothing lasts forever.”Gorgeous flowers are the main attraction at the cherry blossom festivals, but there are a variety of traditional Japanese performances presented during these festivals. You might want to consider joining a tea ceremony held under the cherry trees; it can be quite a memorable experience. It’s also fun to patronize festival vendors who sell various foods and souvenirs, such as regional crafts and specialty food from the region. en no Rikyu (1522–1591), who completed the current style of the tea ceremony, wrote in his “one-hundred poems” that are to teach the way of tea in the form of Japanese poems (Waka): “If you make tea for guests who just returned from the cherry-blossom viewing, place neither flowers nor pictures of flowers and birds.” No matter how beautiful the cherry blossoms are, guests become tired of looking at them if there are the same flowers again in the tea room. It is necessary to avoid any overlap in the tea ceremony.
en no Rikyu (1522–1591), who completed the current style of the tea ceremony, wrote in his “one-hundred poems” that are to teach the way of tea in the form of Japanese poems (Waka): “If you make tea for guests who just returned from the cherry-blossom viewing, place neither flowers nor pictures of flowers and birds.” No matter how beautiful the cherry blossoms are, guests become tired of looking at them if there are the same flowers again in the tea room. It is necessary to avoid any overlap in the tea ceremony. The practice of hanami has a long history, dating back to at least the Nara period in the 8th century. During that time, merrymakers often braved the cold winter months to see plum blossoms rather than the sakura cherry blossoms we associate with hanami today. It was during the Heian period (794 to 1185) that Sakura came into vogue for hanami, and they remain the most popular flower to this day.
Today, a typical hanami party involves laying out under the sakura trees while eating and drinking with family, friends, and co-workers. Bento boxes are one of the more popular food items, and there are even bentos made specifically for hanami parties. Barbecuing on a grill is also a favorite activity, as well as partaking in some of the many time-limited sakura flavored food items on sale during hanami seasons, such as sakura-mochi and sakura flavored ice cream. The practice of hanami is so popular that the Japan Meteorological Agency even publishes an annual forecast of when and where the sakura is going to be in full bloom. This map is based on the Yoshino Sakura. Yoshino Sakura has pale whitish-pink flowers with five petals and is one of the more widely recognized varieties of cherry blossoms. While Yoshino Sakura is indeed one of the most popular varieties, there are many other kinds as well, such as Kanzan sakura. A beautiful harmony indeed.