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Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
Sakura are cherry blossoms. They are not only the
flower of Japan and a symbol for its culture, but a symbol of spring, purity, simplicity, and beauty. It also can
stand for hope and new beginnings. April is the month when schools start the new year. Sometimes, the
flower is given a tragic connation as well, such as a blossom carried on the wind to mean ideal death.
Sakura are also the flower much associated with samurai. *An Ask John article from AnimeNation had this to say: "As defined by the writings of Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801), explained by the Kodansha
Encyclopedia of Japan, "mono no aware" represents "a purified and exalted feeling." In common
usage, "the beauty of impermanence," and "the sensitive heart capable of appreciating that
beauty." Sakura are thus the natural representation of "mono no aware." During the Heian
period, the age of nobles, Japanese poetry, aesthetic and literary theory often represented these
concerns with natural purity and beauty. It`s uncertain when sakura became associated with the
samurai, but most likely sometime during the medieval era of the samurai, which stretched from
1147 until 1568, "mono no aware" and the sakura, in certain usages, evolved into a natural
representation of the ultimate purity of an honorable life lived well and a death without regret, in
essence the very heart of Japanese chivalry.
Because cherry trees bloom for only a very few days, the life of the cherry blossom is fleeting.
Moreover, cherry blossoms fall to the ground quickly rather than gently floating, as though they
had no hesitation or lingering attachment to life. The samurai class, raised to always be prepared
to die at a moment`s notice, found, in the transient nature of cherry blossoms, "isagiyoi," or
"appare." In this context, "isagiyoi" may be best translated as "brave" or "pure" while "appare"
may mean "glorious" or "excellent." The stoic, honorable samurai found, in the sakura and the
theory of "mono no aware," the perfect poetic summation of their lives and character.
Undoubtedly this relation of the sakura and the samurai account for the modern archetype of the
alienated, perpetually solemn samurai, part warrior, part monk and part poet."
The following is an addition from Leticia/Banshees: "The cherry blossoms are also represent the Kamikazes ("celestial wind")
of the Second Great War because they found a similarity between their "sacrifice" and the way that the sakura float
from the tree to the ground after it´s short life."
Hanami are
cherry blossom viewing parties held under the flowering
trees. People will gather for Hanami parties
under the blossoms in the spring to eat, sing, talk, basically enjoy themselves
while watching the cherry-blossoms. These are very popular.
In Sailor Moon, Hanami is seen in episode 51, and at the start of the Broly movie of Dragonball Z. Sakura is a popular name for female characters. Two examples are Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura (who lives up to
her sweet and gentle personality like a flower petal, and Sakura (Celeste) from Wedding Peach who is given the name after her future husband sees her under the sakura trees and thinks
the sight is beautiful.
Cherry blossoms are carried on the wind in many scenes throughout the X film, or are seen in association with Kotori. They can be a symbol for a tragic fate, or a
sad image, in that Kotori and almost all the characters in the film are fated to die. Tragic connotation aside, the blossoms do seem to represent fate or destiny. One example comes
from the opening of the movie where blossoms float in abundance in the air. Kamui's mother dies under her fate, and Kamui is given the sword he will need to follow his own fate
and to choose it.
In OVA 3 of Dream Hunter REM they are a symbol of old Japan, and the two lovers meet for the first time under the falling cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms are seen during the deaths of Soi and Nakago in Fushigi Yuugi. This may go back to the sakura sometimes having a tragic
connotation, such as blossoms carried on the wind to mean ideal death. They are also a traditional symbol of spring and even girlhood (many characters in anime have the name Sakura). Cherry blossoms fall at the outset of the Kakyuusei series showing it's
springtime and the beginning of the school year, and at the end to show the seasons have come full circle along with the relationships of the characters.
*From the January 26, 2001 Ask John article at AnimeNation.com: What's the Deal with Cherry Blossoms in Anime?