May 4, 2026

Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry) flowers: Kencho-ji

Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry) flowers: Kencho-ji

Flowers are destined to bloom and soon fade away as the floral organs for pollination and reproduction. For humans, their fleeting beauty appears in this world only to vanish into the void as if nothing had ever happened. 

The flowering season of Sakura has long since passed, and those delicate flowers that had once bloomed so splendidly have all fallen and disappeared completely, but their beautiful memories are remaining within me as unforgettable afterimages.

Spring transforms the appearance of life rapidly and beautifully, one change after another. Living things revive from their winter slumber, and the natural landscape transforms with astonishing speed. Spurred on by capricious spring breezes and bright sunlight, new varieties of flowers bloom one after another, and the fresh green foliage of various plants appears rapidly, flourishing as if to be conjured by a magic trick. 

The birds that had been holding their breath in winter begin to chirp lively, and the insects that had been hiding somewhere begin to emerge one after another and take to the air.

This world keeps changing swiftly. All are born and disappear in a flash. In this vast universe, all things are impermanent and continue changing consistently. The rapid changes in the landscape of life in spring teach me this ultimate principle through the beautiful metaphor of living creatures.


 

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