Japan is an amazing country with a unique culture and rich history. For us, the Japanese with their attitude to life will forever remain a mystery. Well, it was not given to practical Europeans and we, bold Russians, to understand Eastern philosophy, their worldview, attitude to nature and surrounding things. Only at a time when sakura is blooming does it open to us the opportunity to understand the unknown. Indeed, for the Japanese, this has a sacred meaning.
Sakura (or finely serrated cherry) is a symbol of Japan. This cherry variety belongs to the Pink family. It blooms with white and pink flowers in late March, before the leaves bloom. The flowering period is short. The most persistent flowers last only a week. Then the plant does not distinguish itself. But just in this week, when sakura blossoms, people have the opportunity to understand how beautiful the world we live in and how fragile it is. The Japanese believe that every flower is the fate of a child.
Although sakura belongs to a variety of cherry trees, but it does not produce fruit, the plant is ornamental. Of course, in Japan there is also a fruiting cherry, it is called sakurambo, it produces fruits of pink and red color. But the Japanese have not only sublime feelings for sakura, they also eat petals of its flowers and leaves.
The time when sakura blooms in Japan is called the "khans" - admiring the flowers. This is an ancient tradition. The foundation of it was laid by the court of the imperial court a few dozen centuries ago. At first it was just a fashion - during the flowering of skour, spend many hours in blooming gardens, write poems and reflect on the meaning of life. Gradually, this tradition spread among the nobility, usually responding quickly to palace trends, and then went to the people. And then it was no longer just a way to prove the subtlety of his nature, but acquired a deep philosophical meaning, because the transience of sakura blossoms reminds everyone
how short our life is, and that it cannot be wasted. So the legend developed. It gradually spread throughout the world. Now, sakura is not just a symbol of Japan, but primarily the embodiment of female beauty. And the khans firmly entered Japanese culture.
For modern Japanese, the time when sakura blossoms is a big celebration. As you know, Japan is a country located on islands stretched from north to south. Accordingly, sakura blooms in different ways everywhere. There are fans in the country who move from one prefecture to another in order to see this magic as long as possible. Residents are warned in advance of this important event. On a significant day in the gardens where flowering begins, almost everything is gathered - from small to large. Classes at schools are canceled, the day off is given at productions. People gather in parks and gardens to see this miracle and keep it in their memory for a whole year. This day turns into a kind of national picnic, where there is an opportunity to admire the rare beauty and enjoy your favorite dishes, enjoy communication with wildlife.
