Spring Events
- O-hanami
- Hina-matsuri
<< O-hanami >>
Flower-viewing
"Ohanami" means to go and see the cherry blossoms. It's difference
according to locality, but usually cherry trees come into full bloom at
the beginning of April.
"Ohanami" has been a Japanese custom
for aristocrats since the 7th century, and
they used to enjoy looking at the cherry
blossoms and writing poems all day long.
Today, parks are crowded with people who
have a good time under the cherry blossoms,
eating and drinking. We can enjoy viewing
all flowers here and there.
Why is "Ohanami" done under the
cherry blossoms?
Old people believed in natural powers, and
natural gods. In winter, branches look like
dead branches. When cherry blossoms begin
coming out, they are in full bloom in a few
days. It looks like spouting out energy that
has been kept during winter. People felt
that natural energy flowed out from cherry
blossoms, and also that cherry blossoms have
medical effects. To be under the cherry blossoms
means that we can receive energy, power and
medical effects. These are some of the good
things of "Ohanami", plus it's
enjoyable.
But nowadays most people don't know about this history. "Ohanami" is just an opportunity to enjoy having a party. It's an especially wonderful sight to see cherry blossoms at night.
