In Japan cherry blossoms also symbolize clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse, besides being an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, an aspect of Japanese cultural tradition that is often associated with Buddhistic influence, and which is embodied in the concept of mono no aware.
The most popular variety of sakura in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem. They bloom and usually fall within a week, before the leaves come out. Therefore, the trees look nearly white from top to bottom.
The variety takes its name from the village of Somei (now part of Toshima in Tokyo). It was developed in the mid- to late-19th century at the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji period. The Somei Yoshino is so widely associated with cherry blossoms that jidaigeki and other works of fiction often depict the variety in the Edo period or earlier; such depictions are anachronisms.
Cherry blossom is an omen of good fortune and is also an emblem of love, affection and represents spring. Cherry blossoms are an enduring metaphor for the fleeting nature of life, and as such are frequently depicted in art.
Vancouver, BC is famous for its thousands of cherry blossom trees lining many streets and in many parks, including Queen Elizabeth Park and Stanley Park. Vancouver holds the annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival every year.
High Park in Toronto, ON features many Somei-Yoshino cherry trees (the earliest species to bloom and much loved by the Japanese for their fluffy white flowers) that were given to Toronto by Japan in 1959. Through the Sakura Project, the Japanese Embassy donated a further 34 cherry trees to High Park in 2001, plus cherry trees to various other locations like Exhibition Place, McMaster University, York University and the University of Toronto's main and Scarborough campuses.
染井吉野,又称吉野樱,日本樱花的一个重要栽培品种,由大岛樱和江户彼岸樱杂交而成,分别继承了两者花朵大和先花后叶的特点。 日本在奈良时代以前,赏花指的是梅花,梅花为樱花所取代是从平安时代开始,而那时的樱花主要是山樱,叶子多余,花朵并不十分具有观赏性,“江户彼岸”和“大岛”两种樱花品种杂交才有今天我们看到的烂漫樱花,这个杂交品种也属于山樱花,为了区别与其他的山樱花,在明治年间被正式赋予了“染井吉野”的名称,以示对染井园艺村的纪念。
染井吉野的花朵为单瓣花,淡粉红色,4~5朵花形成总状花序,萼片及花梗上有毛,萼筒上部比较细,花蕾是粉红色,在叶子长出前就盛开略带淡红色的白花,给人十分华丽的印象。树形高大,可达10~15米。在公园、学校内种植较多,作为最受欢迎的樱花而推广到日本各地。据说现在80%的樱花都是染井吉野。花期为4月至5月中旬。 |