6 Beautiful Alternative Names for Sakura
Japanese aesthetics shine through sakura’s diverse names
Japanese culture tends to assign various names to everything, much like March goes by many names: yayoi (弥生), chikushuu (竹秋) and others. The same applies to sakura, the usual Japanese word for cherry trees. Here are 6 names that caught my attention:
Yumemigusa (夢見草)
Yumemigusa stands out as my preferred name for sakura because it perfectly captures the fleeting essence of this flower. Since sakura often blossoms for only 2 weeks or less, it creates a feeling that if you blink your eyes, it will disappear forever, akin to a dream.
Interestingly, yumemigusa sometimes features in works related to samurai, particularly those centered around Shinsengumi, as these soldiers’ lives parallel cherry blossoms, dedicated to their ideals until death.
Two other sakura names with similar meanings are Adanagusa (徒名草) and Adazakura (徒桜).
Tamukeka (手向け花)
Tamukeru (手向ける) refers to the act of offering something to deities or the spirits of the deceased. While offering flowers may include pine trees and violets, this article focuses on cherry blossoms.
Sakura earns this name because ancient Japanese believed gods and spiritual lives resided in cherry trees, leading them to offer these flowers in prayers for safe travels before a journey.
Yoshinogusa (吉野草)
Regarding sakura, you’ve likely heard of Yoshino or Somei Yoshino (染井吉野櫻), the most famous cherry blossom variety. However, this “Yoshino” (吉野) is completely different.
Yoshinogusa is inspired by Mount Yoshino, a famous spot for wild cherry blossoms. Here, you’ll find over 200 sakura types and approximately 300,000 sakura trees, many of which have stood since ancient times.
Akebonogusa (曙草)
Akebonogusa may be the most mysterious name, as ancient origins linking sakura to it remain unclear. Some guess perhaps the color of dawnbreak resembles the shade of sakura, hence the name.
Moreover, a waka poem begins with the line “spring is the dawnbreak” (春はあけぼの, haru wa akebono). Spring in Japan is obviously related to sakura, partially explaining why cherry blossoms gets the name “akebonogusa”.
Kazashigusa (挿頭草)
Kazashi (挿頭) refers to the flowers and plants ancient Japanese people usually wore in their hear or crowns during Shinto rituals. The flowers and plants varied depending on the rituals, with personal preferences sometimes playing a role. Besides real flowers, the locals today also use artificial ones made with silk thread, gold, or silver.
These adornments express gratitude to the gods and are believed to enhance your life force by synchronizing with nature and seasons. Sakura is a common choice for kazashi during spring, hence the name “kazashigusa”.
Kaou (花王)
While “kaou” traditionally means “king of all flowers” and usually refers to peonies, many Japanese people also consider it sakura. The reason may be cherry blossoms’ millennia-long presence, earning them the title “king”.
Although these names may not be familiar now, they offer insight into Japanese perspectives, particularly regarding sakura, an indispensable aspect of their lives.
