The cherry blossom (sakura) is the unofficial national flower of Japan. It is probably most beloved flower among the Japanese. The blooming of cherry blossoms signifies not only the arrival of spring but the beginning of the new academic year for schools (Japanese school year starts in April) and of the new fiscal year for businesses. The cherry blossoms are symbols of a bright future. Also, their delicacy suggests purity, transience, melancholy and has poetic appeal.
During this period, the weather forecasts include reports on the advance of sakura zensen (sakura front) as the blossoms sweep north. As the trees begin to bloom, the Japanese participate in hanami (flower viewing). People gather under the tress, eat picnic lunches, drink sake, view the cherry blossom flowers and have a great time. In cities, viewing cherry blossoms in the evening (yozakura) is also popular. Against the dark sky, the cherry blossoms in full bloom are especially beautiful.
However, there is also a dark side. The Japanese cherry blossoms open all at once and seldom last more than a week. From the way they quickly and gracefully fall, they were used by militarism to beautify the death of the suicide units. To samurai in the ancient times or soldiers during World Wars there was no greater glory than dying on the battlefield like scattered cherry blossoms.
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