Blossom in the wind
by Sarah Das Gupta
an elfin candyfloss drifting
in a Japanese garden
| Botanical name: | Wild cherry – Prunus avium |
| Popular names: | Cherry Blossom, Sakura (Japan) |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Origin: | Widely distributed in Northern Hemisphere and Eastern Asia, especially Japan |
| Habitat: | Grows best in full sunlight and fertile soil. Will not tolerate being waterlogged. |
The national flower of Japan is the cherry blossom. Trees in parks and gardens, are bred from wild cultivars such as Prunus speciosa (Oshima Cherry) which is native to Japan and can produce double flowers and grows rapidly. In the modern era trees are generally propagated by grafting. Classifying cherry trees is difficult as they have a tendency to mutate. Prunus itosakura is a wild, species which grows slowly but has the longest life among cherry trees. Jindai—sakura is over 2,000 years old and believed to be the oldest surviving cherry. Often such ancient trees are seen as sacred and mark Shinto shrines. The flowers of ornamental cherries have a characteristic scent, like vanilla.
The term ‘hanami’ refers to the practice of ‘flower viewing’ which was originally popular with the Imperial Court but with the planting of cherry trees in urban areas in the modern era, it has spread to all classes.
Modern cultivars are being developed with a resistance to disease, especially to an invasive longhorn beetle. Traditionally the cherry blossom begins blooming in Okinawa in January and reaches Kyoto and Tokyo by the beginning of April. As a result of global warming, the date in Tokyo has moved to early March.
In Japan, the blossom is a symbol of the ephemeral nature of life. The blossom is short-lived and fragile.
Further reading:
‘‘Cherry’ Ingram: The Englishman Who Saved Japan’s Blossoms’, 2020, Abe, N., Vintage, ISBN: 978-1784706920
Author bio:
Sarah Das Gupta is a young 81 year old. Loves writing haiku and most forms of poetry. Is learning to walk after an accident. Main outside interests include equine sports. Lives near Cambridge, UK. Read other sciku by Sarah here.