Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

I visited Kanazawa-city (Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan) again, just in time for the cherry blossoms in all their glory.

As it to be stared by the two white watchtowers of the Ishikawa Gate of Kanazawa-jo Castle, the countless cherry blossoms in full bloom are illuminated by radiant white lighting at nightfall. They are shining brilliantly like the silver clouds of stars that have just arrived here from the faraway outer universe to let us notice the wonder of our existence.

In Japan, beautiful cherry blossoms symbolize not only the coming of spring but also Mujo (Buddhist concept of the impermanence of worldly things) because they fleetingly disappear just after blooming.

The glorious beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom suggests the fate of their eventual falling, and, by watching their declining appearance, we can deeply feel "Mononoaware" or the impermanence of our mortal lives. 

This feeling arouses the deep emotion of those of us who must eventually disappear like such pale pink blossoms. 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at dusk: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kanazawa-jo Castle (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at night: Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at dusk: Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at dusk: Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa-city)

 

Cherry blossoms at dusk: Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa-city)

 

Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

The long-awaited season of rebirth and regrowth has finally arrived here. The flowers that beautifully adorn the springtime are beginning to bloom one after another to eagerly compete to be the first for receiving the blessed sunlight from the sun.

As if to be inspired by the lively chirping of birds which comes out of nowhere, the bright pink flowers of Tamanawa-zakura trees are blooming brilliantly against the glorious blue sky to celebrate the advent of the spring sunshine.

Mame-zakura (Cerasus incisa) flowers: Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

 

Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

Tamanawa-zakura tree was born at this Ofuna Flower Center. This variety is the result of the natural hybridization of Somei-yoshino (Prunus yedoensis) and Oh-kanzakura (Cerasus × kanzakura ‘Ō-kanzakura’) cherry.

It is said to have been artificially bred from the hybridized seeds of these cherry trees. The individuals which flower early were selected and bred as a new cultivated species of cherry trees. The Tamanawa-zakura is named after the old name of the place of this flower center, namely,"Tamanawa Village" of Kamakura.

Its propagation began in 1974 by cuttings and grafting the cherry trees, and this variety was registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan in 1990.

Tamanawa-zakura trees start to bloom in the cold of late winter from mid to late February. Their flowering season lasts about a month and their beauty can be enjoyed until Somei-yoshino cherry trees come into blossom brilliantly.

Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

No matter how I try to describe the ephemeral beauty of flowers in words, the result must be empty. In the same way as the impermanence of our living world, like just a momentary illusion, any flower blooms and then disappears in an instant.

The flowers of Tamanawa-zakura bloom about a month earlier than common Somei-yoshino-zakura flowers and have a long flowering period, which comforts the hearts of those who eagerly await the brilliant blossoms of the spring during the gloomy winter days.

Their petals are darker pink than those of Somei-yoshino-zakura flowers of spring and become a slightly darker pink as the flowering progresses before falling. 

This tranquil tone of the color enhances the virtue of modesty of the Tamanawa-zakura flowers which quietly keep blooming in the cold winter before the arrival of the true springtime.

Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

 

Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

 

Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)