Hanami – The tradition of cherry blossom viewing in Japan
- by MaedaYumiko
- 4 min reading time
Spring has arrived, and in Japan, the time is slowly beginning when the cherry blossoms start to bloom. As many of you may already know, cherry blossom season is also the time for Hanami – the traditional cherry blossom festival.
But what exactly is Hanami?
The origins of Hanami are believed to date back to the Nara period (710–794). At that time, the nobility particularly admired the blossoms of plum trees. Under the influence of Chinese culture, the plum blossom was considered a quintessential spring flower. The famous poetry collection Man'yōshū also contains many poems about plum blossoms, demonstrating how highly they were valued at that time.
Cherry trees, on the other hand, were considered special trees during this time. It was believed that mountain gods or rice gods might dwell within them, which is why they held special spiritual significance for people.
During the Heian period (794–1185), this began to change. Gradually, the focus of floral observation shifted from plum blossoms to cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms appeared more and more frequently in the poems of the court nobility, and they also played an important role in literature. A famous example is the classic novel The Tale of Genji , which describes a feast under blossoming cherry trees. Since then, cherry blossoms have been considered a symbol of spring in Japan.
For farmers, however, observing the blossoms had a somewhat different meaning. Spring marked the beginning of work in the fields for them. When the first flowers bloomed, people also viewed them with religious significance, associating them with the wish to ward off misfortune and ask for a good harvest.
Such customs were often tied to specific days. People would go to the mountains or the countryside to enjoy the blossoms. These outings were called "No-asobi" (field games) or "Yama-asobi" (mountain games). Cherry trees were also part of these traditions, and people spent time under their blossoms – perhaps hoping for a bountiful harvest.
The modern form of Hanami, where people simply gather to enjoy the cherry blossoms, spread primarily during the Edo period (1603–1868). At that time, Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune had cherry trees planted in many parts of Edo (present-day Tokyo), allowing more and more people to enjoy the blossoms. Since then, Hanami has become a firmly established tradition of the Japanese spring.
It is said that there are approximately 250 to 300 different species of cherry blossoms. Throughout Japan, one can therefore experience many different shapes and colors of these beautiful flowers.
Plum blossoms are also very popular in Japan. Because they bloom earlier than cherry blossoms, their sight often conveys the feeling that the long winter is finally over and spring is slowly approaching.
When I lived in Kyoto before, I tended to avoid the famous hanami spots in the tourist areas because they were always so crowded. However, since I lived by the Kamogawa River, I could walk further upstream, where cherry trees bloomed on both sides of the river. Even a simple stroll was enough to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms.
There were also many cherry trees along the road, creating an almost tunnel-like effect of blossoms. Even when I was driving to work, I often automatically slowed down to admire the cherry blossoms for a little longer.
For many people in Japan, cherry blossoms are an important sign of the beginning of spring. At the same time, they are a natural part of everyday life and the landscape.
When my children are able to travel to Japan in the spring, we always go together to see the cherry blossoms, and they are always very happy about it.
Cherry trees can also be seen in Berlin, so I think I'll go again soon to see the blossoms. Spending time under blossoming cherry trees is something very special for many people in Japan.
If you have the opportunity, why not enjoy the cherry blossoms yourself?
And if you like kimonos, a trip in a kimono might make the atmosphere of spring even more special.