What does Sakura mean to Japanese people? Introducing the three major cherry blossoms that Japan is proud of

What is Sakura for Japanese people?

We will delve into what kind of flowers cherry blossoms are for Japanese people and the relationship between Japanese people and cherry blossoms.

How long have Japanese people liked Sakura?

There are many records that Japanese people loved cherry blossoms, and in ancient times, a goddess likened to a cherry blossom appeared in Kojiki. In the Manyoshu, many cherry blossoms are clearly drawn as "flowers that symbolize spring", and it can be seen that the love of cherry blossoms was already shaped in the hearts of the Japanese people in the Nara period when the Manyoshu was knitted. ..

In the days of using the lunar calendar, the beginning of a new year came with spring. For this reason, the initial cherry blossom viewing loved plum blossoms that bloom earlier than the cherry blossoms, but with the introduction of cherry blossoms from China, the custom of seeing cherry blossoms gradually changed after the Heian period. It has been.

It is said that it was Emperor Saga, the emperor of the Heian period, who first saw the cherry blossoms. The fact that the emperor-sponsored cherry-blossom viewing is held every year is one of the reasons why the cherry-blossom viewing culture has spread from aristocrats to the common people.

Why Sakura is Special for Japanese

Like cherry blossoms, there are other spring flowers that have taken root from China. There are various theories as to why only cherry blossoms have come to be loved all over Japan, but it is thought that the reasons are as follows.

・ Appearance and beauty

It can be said that one of the major reasons is that many Japanese people were fascinated by the beauty of cherry blossoms, such as thin and small petals and pretty pale pink.

・ Worship as a symbol of life and death

The cherry tree itself has a long lifespan, and some varieties boast more than 100 years, but cherry blossoms are very short-lived. Even during spring, it blooms only for a short period of time, and the thin petals scatter with the wind, so it is not in full bloom for half a month.

The ancient people who saw the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming for a moment and scattered quickly thought about the view of life and death by the cherry blossoms, and worshiped the cherry blossoms as "sacred things, things reminiscent of God". It wouldn't be difficult to think that it was.

・ Long-awaited flowering time

Even now, as the spring cherry-blossom viewing season approaches, the "cherry blossom forecast" is reported nationwide, and it is the focus of attention when it will be in full bloom.

Even in an era when the weather forecast was less developed than it is now, many people would have been looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms when the cherry blossom trees turned pink and the flower buds began to bloom. ..

The transition from winter to spring marks the beginning of farming and the end of every day in the cold of winter. It is thought that these expectations helped to further enhance the beauty of the cherry blossoms that signal the arrival of spring.

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Three major cherry blossoms that Japan is proud of

Here are three places where you can enjoy the "three major cherry blossoms" that Japan is proud of. In addition to the types and characteristics of cherry blossoms, it also explains the highlights, so please use it as a reference when considering candidate sites for cherry blossom viewing.

Why are they called the Three Great Cherry Blossoms?

There are many cherry blossom trees and cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, but among them, "Miharu Takizakura" in Fukushima, "Yamanashi Kamishiro Sakura" in Yamanashi, and "Neoya Tansumi Sakura" in Gifu are "Three" in Japan. It is said to be "Ozakura".

The three major cherry blossoms have been selected from the scenic spots of historical sites established in the Taisho era, and are also designated as natural monuments. It is famous for its long trees, large trees, and beautiful scenery.

In addition to the three major cherry blossoms, Shizuoka's "Kariyado Shimouma Sakura" and Saitama's "Ishito Gamazakura" are sometimes collectively called the "Five Great Cherry Blossoms", and each place is a famous place to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms.

This time, we will introduce the three major cherry blossoms in more detail below.

Miharu Takizakura

Miharu Takizakura, located in Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, is a very large cherry tree that is said to be over 1,000 years old, and its variety is "Benishidarezakura". It boasts a height of more than 13 meters, and its branches on all sides are over 10 meters. It is also famous as the oldest cherry blossom in Japan, and it has not only the size and longevity, but also the beauty that overwhelms what you see.

It is in full bloom from mid-April to late April, and during the season it is lit up at night, and there is a "Sakura Park" near Miharu Taki Sakura where you can enjoy more than 3,000 cherry blossoms, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms. It is also a famous place to do. There are various theories about the origin of "Miharu", such as "three flowers of plum, peach, and cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the same time" and "come from Miharu", but the town name is like a proof that the beauty of spring flowers has been the highlight since ancient times. It can be said that.

Location: Sakurakubo, Oaza Taki, Miharu-cho, Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture

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Yamataka Kamidai Sakura

Yamanashi Kamidai Sakura, located in Mukawa-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is considered to be the longest-lived old tree among the three major cherry trees, and is said to be over 2,000 years old. The type of cherry blossom is "Edhiganzakura", which is designated as the first natural monument of the country and is also selected as one of the 100 New Japanese Famous Trees.

Yamato Kamidai Sakura is said to be "a cherry tree planted by Yamato Takeru Nomikoto" because of its age, and has many other legends. The height is over 10 meters, and the branches over 17 meters overhanging from east to west are spectacular. It is in full bloom around the beginning of April every year, and you can enjoy beautiful scenery such as many cherry blossoms in the surrounding area and daffodil flowers at the same time.

Location: Yamataka, Mukawa-cho, Hokuto City

Neodani Usuzumi Zakura

"Usuzumi Zakura" in Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture is a rare cherry blossom that is written as "Usuzumi" and read as "Usuzumi", and the color of the flowers changes from white to pink to light ink depending on the season. .. It is said to be over 1,500 years old, and boasts a height and branching that is comparable to the other three major cherry blossoms. The best time to see it is around the beginning of April, and many Yoshino cherry trees that bloom in "Usuzumi Park" near Usuzumi Zakura also bloom at the same time.

Location: Upper row of Neoitasho, Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture

Summary

Since ancient times, the Japanese have been fascinated by the beauty and cuteness of cherry blossoms, and are considered to be the existence of gods and spirits that herald the arrival of spring, and they are the objects to think about the view of life and death because of the short life that is scattered quickly. I have come. Among them, the ones with long ages and the splendid branches are especially valued as the "three major cherry blossoms", and are protected from the country as natural monuments and historic sites.

This article is a partial re-edit of the article published in Nihongo Biyori by KARUTA.
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