Cherry blossoms: Kenroku-en Garden (Kanazawa-city)

The pale blossoms of Somei-yoshino are floating over the tranquil surface of the Kyokusui stream like graceful auspicious clouds. 

Although Somei-yoshino is especially popular for Hanami (flower viewing) of spring in Japan, sadly its flowering period is very brief. Their blossoms must scatter hurriedly within about one week after their full bloom. 

They are initially pale pink, but, as the end of their lives approaches, they gradually lose their freshness of colors and become dull white just before falling like sudden snow simultaneously.

Such transitoriness of the blossoms seems to be harmonious with the quietly flowing water of the winding stream, which reminds us of the ephemeral and swift changes of this world.