When it comes to spring, cherry blossoms are the first thing that comes to mind for Japanese people. Although the national flower of Japan has not been officially designated, cherry blossoms are recognized as the national flower of Japan. They are depicted on the back of Japanese 1000 yen bills, 100 yen coins, and manholes in Tokyo. Cherry blossoms are also made into tea, sweets and used for dyeing.
There are more than 600 species of cherry trees in Japan. Of these, 10 are known as wild species that originally exist naturally in Japan. The other species are those that have grown through natural hybridization or cultivation. It is quite easy to crossbreed cherry trees naturally, isn’t it?
The most common type of cherry tree is the Someiyoshino, which accounts for 80% of all cherry trees in Japan. It is thought to be a hybrid of the wild species Edohigan-zakura and Oshima-zakura. It was first sold under the name Yoshino-zakura by a tree planter in Somei- mura village (present-day Toshima Ward) at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). Since it is different from the famous Yoshino cherry tree in Nara, it was named Someiyoshino after the village in 1900. Because Someiyoshino is a clone grown by grafting from a single tree, it produces flowers of almost the same size and color all at the same time under the same environment. Another feature of this plant is that the flowers are large and bloom before the leaves come out, so they cover the branches and the whole area with their color, which is very impressive. According to one study, the original tree is still in existence in Ueno Park.
Every year, I wonder when they will be in full bloom since I make plans to go flower viewing around that time. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) declares the blooming of cherry flowers after observing the blossoms of Someiyoshino in each area except for a few ones. In the case of Tokyo, the standard Someiyoshino tree for the observation is located at the Yasukuni Shrine. It takes about 7 days from flowering to full bloom and 7 days to fall. The best time to see them is about only one week to ten days, depending on the climate of the year. If there are bad days with strong wind and rain, the flowers will fall in a flash. This is why there are often fierce battles to get a spot for Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) here and there. However, in recent years, due to the coronavirus pandemic, most of the parks have banned banquets.
Although cherry blossoms are very popular for the Japanese now, introduced plum blossoms used to be more popular than cherry blossoms. During the Nara period (710-794), Chinese culture had a strong influence in Japan, and plum blossoms from China were much admired.
This is evident from the fact that there were more poems about plum blossoms than about cherry blossoms in the Man'yoshu, the oldest existing collection of poems from the Nara period. The earliest record of cherry blossom viewing was at a poetry party held by Emperor Saga in 812 (the Heian period), which led to the planting of cherry trees at the residences of aristocrats. In the Edo period, the 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, had many mountain cherry trees planted along the banks of the Sumidagawa River and at Asukayama in Oji. Some Ukiyoe woodblock prints from the Edo period depict the prototype of today's hanami (cherry blossom viewing), and hanami lunch boxes are in a cookbook from the Edo period. It must have been a major leisure activity in those days as well.
After the end of the Edo period, in the Meiji era (1868-1912), many of the former domains of feudal lords were remodeled as public facilities and parks, and many Someiyoshino cherry trees were planted there. They were also donated to other countries including Washington DC in the U.S. and have been appreciated overseas.
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| @Oyokogawa |
In the city center, Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace, the Meguro River, Asukayama Park, and Sumida Park, etc. are popular places for cherry blossom viewing. However, there are many good places also in Koto city. The photo shows the Oyokogawa River from Ishijimabashi Bridge last year (near Monzennakacho sta., Tozai line). Before the pandemic, cherry blossom festivals were held in several places.
Regardless of the coronavirus pandemic, the cherry blossoms will bloom beautifully this year, too. I hope to enjoy the viewing quietly in Koto city again.
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| @Minamisuna Sanchome Park |
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| @Sendaiborikawa Park |
