Cherry blossom trees are undoubtedly among the most attractive ornamental trees, their abundant white and pink flowers adding an instant injection of positivity wherever they’re found. Synonymous with Japan, the word sakura in the Japanese language refers to either the cherry blossom tree, or more often the blossoms, in particular. In this post, we’ll be exploring all things sakura, including its history, cultural significance and the celebrations observed in its honour.

Jump to:

• What is sakura?
• The historical and cultural significance of sakura
• Cherry blossom season
• Sakura celebrations (hanami)
• Sakura symbolism

What is sakura?

Sakura (桜) is widely regarded as Japan’s national flower, with wild cherries thought (according to a 1970s study) to have grown in the country since before people first populated its islands. In terms of cultivation, records suggest that the weeping variety of cherry blossom, ‘Pendula’, has been cultivated since at least the 10th century. Interestingly, there was a proliferation of cherry blossoms across the USA in the early 20th century when the Japanese offered the trees as a sign of friendship between the two countries.

What does it mean?

While the term sakura is often used interchangeably to reference either the blossom or the tree, it’s perhaps more accurate to refer to the blossom as sakura (桜) and the tree itself as sakura no ki (桜の木). In contrast, plum blossom trees (and plums in general) are referred to as ume (梅). The kanji for sakura, 桜, originally comprised of the old Japanese, saku (咲く ), meaning to bloom, and -ra (等), a suffix which pluralises.

The historical and cultural significance of sakura

The significance of sakura in Japanese history and culture can’t be overstated. If you look at the works of famed Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō, for instance, you’ll see he wrote several haiku around cherries and blossoms. My personal favourite has to one of his poems from 1688, which goes like this:

hanazakari / yama wa higoro no / asaborake 

blossoms at their peak / and the mountain as always / at the break of day

Like much of Bashō’s work, the piece is simple and understated, and alludes to the importance of blossoms within Japanese culture. Sakura is often seen in Japanese art, too. For example, the great Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai, known most for his woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, also created pieces in which cherry blossoms were at the fore (most notably, Cherry Blossoms at Yoshino). Cherry blossom trees were often (and still are in many cases) found in traditional temple gardens, as well as at castles and palaces.

Cherry blossom season

Cherry blossom season typically runs in Japan from March until May – spring, in other words. The southernmost island, Kyushu, experiences the blossoms first, in early March, followed by blossoms in the southern part of Honshu (Japan’s largest island) later in the month, before the blossoms emerge in the northern part of Honshu and Hokkaido (Japan’s northernmost island) from mid to late April. This is a rule of thumb, of course, and different varieties will flower at different times. Now, if you talk to someone from Japan about sakura, they’ll probably also bring up hanami.

Sakura celebrations – hanami

Hanami (花見) is the custom of flower viewing, celebrating blossoms in all their ephemeral, temporary beauty; while most hanami parties revolve around the cherry blossom, there are also plum blossom hanami celebrations as well (this is sometimes referred to as umemi – 梅見). The word itself comes from the word hana (花) which means ‘flower’, and mi (見) which means ‘look’.

Sakura symbolism

The cherry blossom is highly symbolic in Japanese culture, representing the fleeting, transient nature of life, appearing only for a glorious, brief moment each year. In addition, it can also convey a sense of renewal and rebirth, reflecting the theme of spring more broadly. Historically, the sakura was also likened to the samurai (侍), members of the famous Japanese warrior caste, whose life, though typically wreathed in acclaim and societal renown, was often all too short, curtailed by battles and war.

Final thoughts

So there you have it! The magical sakura in all its dainty glory. It’s no wonder that these flowers hold such cultural cachet in Japanese society, both historically and today. We’ve already featured one of Bashō’s poems, so it seems fitting that we’d end with one, too.

ki no moto ni / shiru mo namasu mo / sakura kana

under the trees / soup, fish salad, and everywhere / cherry blossoms