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The Mainichi
18-05-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Kitakyushu residents angry over sudden felling of school's cherry blossom trees
FUKUOKA -- Residents in the southwestern Japan city of Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, are voicing their disapproval after cherry blossom trees on the grounds of a local elementary school were cut down during their peak season without any explanation. The trees at Matsugae Minami Elementary School in Kitakyushu's Moji Ward were felled in April, with no notification given to locals in advance. According to the Kitakyushu Municipal Board of Education and the school, around late January, it was decided a house was to be built on a lot adjacent to the school building. Some branches were extending over the fence to the adjacent land, and the contractor requested the branches be cut as they would interfere with the construction. There were 14 cherry trees on the school grounds, including those in front of the main gate, but the ones cut down included nine on the south side of the school building and 11 on its north side by the swimming pool. The same school conducted a risk assessment of trees on the property about two years ago to see if there was any danger of trees falling due to typhoons or other causes. As a result, four trees were identified as dangerous and one tree needed follow-up observations. The school decided on felling instead of mere pruning as exterior wall work on the school building, which requires scaffolding, was planned to be completed in fiscal 2025 and 2026. According to the education board, the trees are of the Somei Yoshino variety and were not planted in commemoration of any graduations. They were over 60 years old and thought to have been planted by teaching staff. According to residents nearby, locals have filed complaints and requests for an explanation with the school. They voiced their shock over the sudden felling at the height of cherry blossom season, with one saying, "The cherry blossoms I used to see all the time are gone," and another coitizing, "For those who left for the Kanto, Kansai or other regions, their memories of their hometown are of their alma mater and cherry blossoms. I wish they had thought of that." In response, the school and municipal education board provided some residents with explanations on the situation. They apologized, stating, "We did not fully understand that these were locally loved cherry trees. We apologize for not explaining it in advance." The school also distributed written explanations of the circumstances leading to the felling to the those in the area, and intends to plant new cherry tree seedlings in consultation with the community.
The Star
10-05-2025
- The Star
Finding beauty in life's fleeting moments – a sakura-inspired observation
On the surface, the Japanese philosophy of mono no aware – or the pathos of things – might sound a little melancholic. In reality, it is a unique Japanese concept or belief: to be more aware and sensitive of life and how it isn't a permanent one. However, it is also not a complete surrender to fate, but an elegant and subtle sentiment sandwiched between compassion and regret. Simply put, it defines the appreciation for something that's lost in between all the rapid changes. Such emotion happens not only from a major event, but often also lurks inside the smallest details in life. I think Sakura (cherry blossoms) is perhaps the best embodiment of mono no aware. For me, the beauty of cherry blossoms lies in their momentary existence. The flowers that typically last only a couple of days are dreamy, their petals fluttering in the breeze like pink snowflakes, carpeting the floor and transporting one into a surreal poetic realm. Nevertheless, most of us are well aware that all that beauty will come to a close soon enough. This instantaneous beauty is veritably the essence of mono no aware. Because it is short-lived, it is all the more precious and must be appreciated. Tourists on a boat ride at Omi Hachiman, where boatmen will tell stories of the Somei Yoshino trees, a cherry blossom variety. And since it will 'vanish' in no time, we tend to treasure its transient existence. As such, hanami or sakura viewing in Japan is more than just the act of looking at the flowers – it is sort of a ritual, too. In fact, for some hanami is a sacred ritual. Whether you are chasing the cherry blossoms or merely appreciating their beauty, the action is a cultural legacy that has been passed down for centuries, and is a response to the passing of life, nature, and time. Mono no aware is different from wabi sabi – another Japanese concept – that we are probably more familiar with. Wabi sabi underscores the beauty of simplicity, exclusivity and imperfection, while mono no aware accentuates the more subtle spiritual reverberations. It is unlike the Western-style 'tragic beauty' that typifies dramatic twists of events; it is a more composed sentiment, just like the flower petals that fall off the tree at the onset of a breeze. In Japanese aesthetics, be it tea art, flower arrangement, or garden design, such 'impermanent beauty' can be felt all the time. The shorter and quieter the momentary existence, the more heart-touching it will be. Mono no aware has existed way before classical Japanese literature, too. Today, its presence can be felt across every aspect of Japanese society, including in the animation of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. From the fluttering of flower petals in spring to the frantic movements of busy urban folks ... all these are classic representations of mono no aware. Every time I take a group of travel buddies to Japan, I will always take them to a Muji store. Like many Japanese brands, Muji's aesthetics are simple, featuring a more neutral colour scheme that nevertheless exudes the feeling of warmth. Its no-frills design philosophy is an embodiment of the company's deep observation of the people's day-to-day life, as well as its quiet acceptance of the unpredictability of our planet. Most of the time, anyone who steps into the shop will feel compelled to buy something. Even the smallest items on display will make you feel something. I remember that once, my travel buddies and I were shopping for seasonal wagashi (local confectionery) in a department store. The short poems on the packaging illustrated the beauty of spring and cherry blossoms. There was one by renowned Japanese poet Matsuo Basho that said something like this: 'All the memories are coming back to me when the cherry tree blooms.' I guess this is the power of mono no aware. Cherry blossoms last no more than seven days, and the seasonal wagashi will also be on sale for just a single flowering season. All this is not meant to stay permanently but for a just that short period of time, to give us that instantaneous excitement. My favourite pink-coloured azuki bean mochi is wrapped in a cherry leaf. It tastes sweet and is flavourful, just like any other mochi. However, how it makes me feel each time I eat it is indescribable. Instead, I am reminded of a short poem by Ozaki Hosai that goes something like this: 'Standing under the flowers, I'm gazing at the cherry blossoms in full bloom.' Chasing cherry blossoms in Japan is very popular among travellers. Today, travelling is not just about taking nice pictures at popular sightseeing spots, but to enjoy such moments of mono no aware. During our sakura-chasing trip this year, we enjoyed the beauty of cherry blossoms in full glory, chatted away the hours, and strolled along the streets quietly. It appeared to me that time was slowing down for us. We were not rushed, nor did we feel rushed. All that we experienced were the gentle breezes, flowers, shadows, and ourselves. In short, this trip was not meant for us to run through all the must-see attractions in a short time, but to enjoy the slowness of life and that faint mono no aware feel. I wrote this article when we were in Japan, when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. One day, my travel buddies and I were walking slowly on the pebble stone trail at Minobusan Kuon-ji temple, towards the main hall of Okuno-in. The round pebbles under our feet have witnessed the movements of people for over a thousand years. In front of us were several pink weeping cherry trees that are over 400 years old, quietly blooming in the mountain breeze. The shadows of the tree branches were gently swaying. It was beautiful and rather sad at the same time. It felt like a a premonition of prosperity and decline, a gentle farewell hidden in short-lived splendour. The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own. Leesan, the globe-trotting traveller who has visited 147 countries and seven continents, enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored six books.
The Mainichi
23-04-2025
- The Mainichi
Cherry blossoms in full bloom at famed viewing spot in north Japan's Aomori
HIROSAKI, Aomori -- Somei Yoshino cherry trees reached full bloom on the eastern outer moat of Hirosaki Park here April 22, a renowned viewing spot in Japan. The Aomori Local Meteorological Observatory also announced the full flowering of the Somei Yoshino variety in the city of Aomori on the same day. The cherry trees within Hirosaki Park were expected to reach full bloom by April 23, marking the peak viewing period for cherry blossoms across the prefecture. The sample cherry tree in the park began blooming on April 18. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, which started at the park April 16, is attracting tourists, and some were seen taking photos of the cherry blossoms while others were seen enjoying food from stalls. The Hirosaki Municipal Government's tourism division said, "We hope many more people will come and visit." According to the city's park and greenery division, the cherry blossoms at the park are expected to begin falling around April 26. The best time to view the "hana-ikada" -- a phenomenon where fallen petals float on the moat's surface -- is anticipated to be from April 26 to 28.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Yahoo
Watch live: Tokyo crowd gathers to see cherry blossoms before full bloom
Watch live as tourists gather in Tokyo to see the Japanese capital's cherry blossoms before full bloom. The trees, also known as sakura, mark the onset of spring in the Asian country, with the beautiful pink and white flowers adorning the streets of many of its major cities. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the first blooming of a cherry blossom on Monday, when the specimen tree of the Somei Yoshino at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine had more than five blossoms flowering on it - the minimum required for declaring the start of the festive season. According to the JMA, the opening matched the average year, and was five days earlier than the opening in 2024. The cherry blossoms, which typically reach their peak in late March to early April, regularly appear in Japanese culture, symbolising life, death and rebirth.
The Independent
30-03-2025
- The Independent
Watch live: Tokyo crowd gathers to see cherry blossoms before full bloom
Watch live as tourists gather in Tokyo to see the Japanese capital's cherry blossoms before full bloom. The trees, also known as sakura, mark the onset of spring in the Asian country, with the beautiful pink and white flowers adorning the streets of many of its major cities. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the first blooming of a cherry blossom on Monday, when the specimen tree of the Somei Yoshino at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine had more than five blossoms flowering on it - the minimum required for declaring the start of the festive season. According to the JMA, the opening matched the average year, and was five days earlier than the opening in 2024. The cherry blossoms, which typically reach their peak in late March to early April, regularly appear in Japanese culture, symbolising life, death and rebirth.
