http://www.jnto.go.jp/ http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/seasonal/sakura2010/ http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/about/sponsors/media-partners/ Spring in Japan is associated with cherry blossoms. Since olden times, cherry blossoms have captivated the hearts of the Japanese people. The traditional custom of hanami is to visit mountains and parks with cherry blossoms and hold sake-drinking parties beneath the cherry trees in full blossom. Tokyo's Ueno Park and Mt. Yoshino in Nara are famous spots for viewing cherry blossoms. And autumn in Japan evokes the beautifully colored leaves. In this season, the mountains are ablaze in deep crimson. In Kyoto, there are many temples with gardens where you can enjoy the beautiful autumnal foliage. The greatest charm of sightseeing in Japan is surely the seasonal change, such as the cherry blossoms of spring and the crimson and golden leaves of autumn.

Japonia denumita si Tara Soarelui Rasare, se stie ca in trecut a fost renumita pentru artele martiale, samurai, gheise, dar si pentru medicina alternativa. De altfel, Japonia este o tara care poate oferi turistilor magia de a calatori prin traditiile specifice, dar si prin imaginile de neuitat ale zgarie-norilor.

Tara Soarelui Rasare este clasata pe locul 10 in lume, datorita populatiei, (peste 128 milioane de locuitori), avand o suprafata de 377.835 km2. Tokio, capitala Japoniei reprezinta un important centru de dezvoltare a economiei si turismului. Zgarie-norii au fost intotdeauna cautati de turisti, datorita frumusetii lor impunatoare. Primavara, puteti admira parfumatele si superbele flori de cires, care au si o sarbatoare specifica.

Sarbatoarea florilor de cires aduce anual milioane de turisti, din toate colturile lumii. In Japonia exista peste 400 de specii de ciresi, care au fost plantati pentru flori. Explozia de flori incepe cu luna ianuarie (Okinawa) si dureaza pana la inceputul lui aprilie. Locurile cele mai vizitate de turisti pentru a admira florile de cires sunt parcul Ueno din Tokio si Honshu. Aveti la dispozitie in ofertele de turism si picnicul sub ciresi, care va aduce binedispozitie si energie, datorita gingaselor flori parfumate. Florile de cires sau sakura sunt cele mai populare flori din Japonia, ce simbolizeaza puritatea si gingasia, dar si sosirea primaverii. Japonia este renumita si prin ikebana, arta amenajarii florilor, care se traduce prin flori care traiesc. Structura ikebanei se bazeaza pe o traiectorie liniara ce uneste trei puncte (paradisul, omenirea si pamantul). Se zice ca, pentru a fi o sotie buna trebuie sa stii arta ikebanei, a ceaiului si a caligrafiei. In zilele noastre aranjamentele florale sunt foarte cautate si apreciate pentru frumusetea si eleganta lor. Vizitati Japonia si veti avea parte de cea mai frumoasa si relaxanta calatorie din viata dumneavoastra! Chiar daca inflorirea ciresilor din Arhipelagul Nipon are loc in perioade diferite (de exemplu, in sudul tarii, in regiunea Okinawa, ciresii infloresc inca de la sfarsitul lunii februarie, iar in nord, la Saporo, cam la jumatatea lunii aprilie), acest moment este asteptat cu mare bucurie. Pe masura trecerii timpului, sarbatoarea infloririi ciresilor a evoluat. Daca in vechime era considerata momentul ce vestea inceputul sezonului propice insamantarii orezului, in prezent s-a ajuns la organizarea unor adevarate petreceri in aer liber, iubite de japonezii de toate varstele.

I. Ciresul - un arbore extrem de popular in Japonia Asa cum am mentionat anterior, japonezii se mandresc cu o mare varietate de specii de cires. Unii dintre ei sunt salbatici, intalnindu-se in paduri (cel mai cunoscut este Yamazakura), dar cea mai mare parte sunt plantati de catre oameni in gradini si parcuri, mai ales in scopuri

decorative (cum este Somei Yoshino).

Ciresii japonezi se deosebesc intre ei in functie de numarul petalelor florilor sau de culoarea acestora. In ceea ce priveste primul criteriu, ciresii japonezi pot avea flori cu cinci, zece, douazeci sau chiar cu mai multe petale. Culoarea florilor variaza de la roz deschis sau alb pana la roz intens, galben sau chiar verde deschis. Uneori, florile isi pot schimba culoarea intrun interval de cativa ani (cea mai frecventa este situatia in care florile devin, din alb stralucitor, roz inchis). De asemenea, nu sunt putine cazurile in care bobocii de floare apar inaintea frunzelor (acest fenomen este intalnit cu precadere atunci cand ciresii

infloresc prea devreme). A intrat in traditie ca in fiecare an Agentia Meteorologica Nipona sa estimeze perioada in care vor inflori ciresii. In general, intervalul de inflorire este cuprins intre sfarsitul lunii februarie si sfarsitul lunii aprilie (uneori, chiar inceputul lunii mai), fiind influentat de cantitatea de precipitatii, de curenti si de temperaturi. Spre exemplu, locuitorii din insula Okinawa (aflata in sudul Arhipelagului Nipon) se pot bucura de primii ciresi infloriti inca din ultimele zile ale lunii februarie, ceea ce duce la fixarea zilelor de sarbatoare (Festivalul florii de cires) pana la jumatatea lunii martie. In orase precum Tokyo, Kyoto sau Osaka, ciresii infloresc pe la sfarsitul lunii martie, iar sarbatorirea lor se face de obicei la inceputul lunii aprilie. In schimb, locuitorii din nordul tarii au parte de spectacolul ciresilor in floare la sfarsit de aprilie, alegand sa sarbatoreasca in primele zile de mai.

II. Inceputurile sarbatorii dedicate infloririi ciresilor Ca si celelalte traditii japoneze despre care am vorbit in articolele anterioare (Ceremonia ceaiului si Codul samurailor - Bushido), Festivalul florii de cires dateaza de mii de ani. Inca din vremea dinastiei Nara (710- 784 e.n.), cand anumite influente ale culturii chineze au patruns in Japonia, a aparut obiceiul ca oamenii sa se bucure de frumusetea florilor. Asa s-a nascut

termenul Hanami, care inseamna petrecerea florilor, mai exact momentele de bucurie aduse de inflorirea ciresilor. In acele timpuri, oamenii credeau ca in trunchiurile ciresilor exista spirite si, de aceea, aduceau diverse ofrande pe care le lasau la umbra arborilor. Dupa aceea, organizau un fel de petreceri, la care se consuma sak, iar poetii compuneau versuri prin care isi aratau recunostinta pentru frumusetea florilor de ciresi, a caror fragilitate era comparata cu viata oamenilor. Ulterior, aceasta traditie a fost interzisa de puterea imperiala, dar, odata cu cresterea influentei castei samurailor in societatea japoneza, aceasta a fost treptat reinviata. In acest sens, un merit deosebit l-a avut sogunul Tokugawa Yoshimune, care a decis sa planteze numerosi ciresi. Oamenii au fost incantati de acest lucru, alegand ca la inceputul primaverii sa se adune la umbra ciresilor pentru a organiza mese festive. Chiar daca la inceput a fost mai mult o sarbatoare a celor din inalta societate, cu timpul a devenit foarte populara si in randul fermierilor de la munte, ce obisnuiau sa plece in drumetii pentru a admira frumusetea florilor de cires. Practic, incepand cu secolul al XVII-lea, Hanami a devenit un prilej de sarbatoare pentru toate categoriile sociale.

III. Sarbatorirea infloririi ciresilor in prezent Hanami este si astazi o sarbatoare indragita in Japonia. Odata cu inflorirea primilor ciresi, oamenii se strang in numar mare oriunde vad copacii incarcati cu flori. Ei se reunesc mai ales in parcuri, unde se organizeaza petreceri pana tarziu in noapte.

In aproape jumatate din tara, ciresii infloresc aproximativ in aceeasi perioada, care coincide cu reintoarcerea elevilor si a salariatilor la serviciu, dupa

vacanta. Acest lucru nu ii impiedica sa se distreze, astfel ca familiile, prietenii si colegii de serviciu aleg sa se bucure impreuna de venirea primaverii. Se organizeaza un fel de picnicuri, la care se bea sak si se consuma feluri de mancare traditionale: dango (un fel de prajiturele din faina de orez, de obicei de forma rotunda; cele dedicate Hanami au trei culori, ce simbolizeaza ciresii infloriti: verde, roz si alb; prajiturelele sunt infipte in niste tepuse din lemn si se servesc cate 3, cate 4 sau cate 5) si bento (el de mancare ce consta in orez, carne si peste, asezate intrun vas compartimentat; bento poate fi gasit in restaurante, supermarketuri si chiar la autoservirile din garile japoneze). Uneori, oamenii participa la serate dansante sau chiar la concursuri de karaoke. In acelasi timp, exista si obiceiul de a lua parte la o competitie legata de cine gaseste cel mai bun loc pentru picnic. Participantii (inclusiv salariati din marile companii japoneze) se aduna si cu cateva ore inainte de inceperea petrecerii pentru a fi siguri ca vor avea cel mai bun loc in care sa se bucure de frumusetea ciresilor. Importanta acestei sarbatori este conferita si de faptul ca, in Japonia, inceputul lunii aprilie este data de inceput a anului scolar si debutul unui nou an financiar. In acest context, japonezii considera ca Hanami este de bun augur pentru un nou inceput.

IV. Cele mai frumoase si mai cunoscute locuri de celebrare a Festivalului Florii de Cires Unele dintre cele mai vizitate locatii de unde se poate admira spectacolul ciresilor infloriti sunt parcurile din Tokyo. Spre exemplu, parcul Ueno este destinatia preferata a locuitorilor capitalei nipone pentru a sarbatori venirea primaverii. Aici se gasesc peste 1000 de ciresi, despre care se spune ca infloresc mai repede cu 2-3 zile fata de ciresii din alte locuri ale orasului. Parcul beneficiaza de un cadru natural deosebit, ce este completat de prezenta Muzeului National si de podul Shinobazu (uneori, cu prilejul Festivalului Florii de Cires, participantii lanseaza pe apa lampioane de hartie colorata). O alta destinatie preferata de localnici este zona din preajma

garii Kudanshita. Aici au fost plantati sute de ciresi, mai ales in parcul Kitanomaru. Vizitatorii pot inchiria barci pentru a se plimba pe lacul de aici si pentru a admira copacii infloriti ce inconjoara malurile acestuia. Nu in ultimul rand, merita mentionat parcul ce este traversat de raul Sumida. Aici sunt organizate plimbari cu vaporasul, astfel incat pot fi vazuti toti ciresii ce au fost plantati de o parte si de alta a malurilor raului. Ciresii infloriti completeaza si peisajul unic de la poalele Muntelui Fuji, unde sarbatoarea Hanami este asteptata cu nerabdare in fiecare an. Ciresii ocupa o buna parte a gradinilor de la poalele muntelui, dar se regasesc si pe malul lacului de acolo. In plus, florile de cires coloreaza primavara si peninsula Ubuyagasaki, pe care se poate ajunge trecand un pod. Desigur, nu puteam incheia periplul prin cele mai cunoscute locuri unde ne putem delecta cu frumusetea ciresilor japonezi fara a face o incursiune in orasul Osaka. In primul rand, localnicii aleg pentru Hanami gradina castelului imperial. Aici exista aproape 4000 de ciresi, la a caror umbra oamenii organizeaza picnicuri si petreceri. In al doilea rand, locuitorii din Osaka opteaza pentru parcul din apropierea garii, ce adaposteste peste 5000 de ciresi. Acestia pot fi vazuti inclusiv pe timpul noptii, intrucat aleile parcului sunt dotate cu un sistem de iluminare bine pus la punct.

Aceasta sarbatoare de fapt induce o stare de meditatie, de melancolie dulce-amara, si cu atat mai mult, in aceste momente de restriste, le va reaminti tuturor cat de fragila, vremelnica si totodata frumoasa este viata, cat de puternica este totusi dorinta de a trai si a se bucura de insesi minunile naturii natura de altfel foarte respectata de catre japonezi, in pofida deosebitelor incercari la care i-a supus, din cele mai stravechi timpuri. Celei ce noi ii spunem Sarbatoarea Florilor de Cires, sau Festivalul Florii de Cires, japonezii o denumesc Hanami care se traduce, simplu, prin privitul florilor si este un superb obicei traditional de a privi florile sakura - sakura e denumirea pentru cires si a florilor sale - si chiar florile ume (cais japonez). Japonezii se delecteaza pur si simplu cu imaginea si mirosul delicat al ciresilor infloriti in nuante de alb, alb-rozaliu si roz, si incearca sa petreaca mai mult timp printre pomii in floare, organizand si un fel de picnicuri in natura, sub ramurile de cires asa-numitele picnicuri hanami.

Sarbatoarea nu are o data fixa, ci se desfasoara pe anumite intervale de timp in functie de timpul de inflorire al ciresilor, in valuri, din fiecare regiune japoneza - perioada ideala fiind in general de prin luna martie si pana la inceputul lunii mai, si dureaza intr-o regiune cam o saptamana-sau doua. Iar Sakurazensen ("frontul sakura", prezicerea perioadei ideale pentru hanami) este prognozata si anuntata in fiecare an de catre Institutul Meteorologic Japonez si bineinteles e urmarita cu maxim interes de cei care planifica picnicurile hanami; aceste picnicuri se pot tine fie in timpul zilei, fie la ceas de seara - caz in care sunt denumite yozakura iar in pomii infloriti sunt prinse cochete lampioane de hartie. De altfel, Sarbatoarea Florilor de Cires, flori ce sunt emblema si obiect de mandrie nationala, este una dintre cele mai vechi, indragite si sensibile sarbatori traditionale japoneze, si a lumii asiatice. Aceasta traditie ar fi inceput in perioada Nara (710-794) iar admiratia privea initial mai mult florile de ume (cais japonez) care erau mai populare pe-atunci, insa incepand cu perioada Heian (794-1185) sakura deci ciresul cu florile sale - a devenit obiectul principal al hanamiului. In respectiva perioada Heian admirarea inflorescentei ciresilor era rezervata clasei aristocrate, se organizau cu acest prilej petreceri in aer liber la care se bea cel mai bun sak, iar poetii si cantaretii o celebrau prin versuri pline de sensibilitate. Odata cu perioada Momoyama (1568-1600) traditia a fost imbratisata din ce in ce mai mult de toate categoriile de japonezi, evoluand si devenind ulterior un simbol national.

Trebuie insa dezvaluit ca admirarea florii de cires ascunde o sensibilitate si profunzime rar intalnite. Florile de cires incanta ochiul si simturile cu delicatetea si parfumul lor numai cateva zile, dupa care petalele se desprind si cad, credinta budista asemanandu-le cu insasi frumusetea si totodata vremelnicia vietii dupa conceptul mono no aware sensibiliatea efemerului, patosul lucrurilor ; este aprecierea vietii, a esentei acesteia, este bucuria de a trai si de a pretui, cu demnitate, clipa, de a-ti pretui momentul existentei pe acest pamant stiind prea-bine ca oricand sar putea sfarsi. Si tocmai razboinicii, samuraii, erau cei care iubeau cel mai mult florile de cires si tineau la mare cinste aceasta sarbatoare intrucat considerau ca insasi viata lor semana cu existenta florilor de sakura; acesti razboinici regaseau in florile de cires simbolul propriului lor spirit de sacrificiu si

credinta intr-o cauza nobila care culmineaza cu cele cateva momente de glorie dintr-o batalie pe viata si pe moarte magnifice, spectaculoase, dar atat de efemere. Florile de cires sunt asociate de altfel cu conditia muritoare a omului si, prin extindere, cu impacarea in fata mortii. Multe castele vechi japoneze se inconjurau de adevarate plantatii de ciresi.

Locuitorii Tarii Soarelui-Rasare se mandresc cu o mare varietate de specii de cires se estimeaza chiar peste 200. Si foarte multe dintre acestea sunt plantate special in scopuri decorative - pentru inflorescentele lor, si nu pentru fructe. Ciresii japonezi se diferentiaza intre ei in functie de numarul petalelor florilor sau de culoarea lor - petalele pot fi in numar de cinci, zece, douazeci si chiar si mai mult, iar culoarea variaza adesea de la alb la roz pal, uneori in combinatii pestrite, pana la un roz intens, si exista si nuante de galben sau verde pal. La unele varietati florile chiar isi pot schimba culoarea dupa cativa ani - de exemplu florile devin, din alb stralucitor, roz puternic. In zilele noastre, cu tot modernismul si mega-tehnologia, japonezii isi cinstesc traditiile si pretuiesc foarte mult aceasta sarbatoare; chiar daca o impart, deh, cu numerosi turisti, veniti special sa se bucure festivalul sakura. Multi japonezi prefera sa strabata tara, mergand in anumite regiuni bine-stiute pentru admirarea celor mai frumoase plantatii de ciresi. S-ar parea ca cel mai vestit loc unde oamenii se pot delecta cu ciresii in floare ar fi Yoshinoyama - muntele Yoshino unde aprox. 30 000 de ciresi japonezi umplu muntele, locurile din jurul templelor si vechiului castel. Se spune ca pluteste aici o mireasma care pur si simplu iti invaluie toate simturile. Una dintre cele mai incantatoare privelisti se regaseste si in peisajul unic de la poalele Muntelui Fuji unde ciresii se intind pe cea mai mare parte a poalelor muntelui si pe malul lacurilor din zona, astfel ca sarbatoarea hanami este aici asteptata cu mult entuziasm si nerabdare. O alta hanami absolut minunata se tine la Osaka in gradina castelului imperial, unde exista aproape 4000 de ciresi de o mare varietate si frumusete, sub ramurile carora se organizeaza picnicurile hanami.

Si bineinteles, cele mai populare sunt parcurile cu multi ciresi in care vin cu deosebita insufletire mii de localnici si de turisti. Unele picnicuri hanami sunt organizate pe scara larga, si se asigura pturi speciale, masute, bucate si bautura, altele insa nu vii cu ceea ce doresti de acasa. De regula japonezii sarbatoresc alaturi de membri ai familiei si de prieteni; dar se organizeaza astfel de picnicuri si de catre firmele sau companiile angajatoare astfel ca se poate petrece si cu colegii de munca, dupa preferinte. Ehee, apare si-o vanatoare (cu destul calm, insa) a locurilor cele mai bune, inca dis-de-dimineata, si-atunci pturile respective sunt pazite de un membru mai tanar al familiei, sau dupa caz, de catre un angajat-ucenic pana la sosirea tuturor. Exista chiar si competitii privitor la cine gaseste cel mai grozav loc pentru picnic. La picnicul hanami se bea desigur sak, si sunt servite feluri de mancare traditionale cum ar fi bento (orez, carne si peste), si dango (prajiturele speciale, din faina de orez), e multa voie buna, se rade, se asculta muzica, si chiar se danseaza si se participa la karaoke. Picnicurile se tin pana tarziu in noapte, iar frumusetea ramurilor de cires este magic pusa in valoare prin niste lampioane speciale pentru hanami pe timp de noapte yozakura (sakura de noapte). Nebunia ciresilor in floare tine asadar cateva zile, dupa care ia sfarsit intr-o adevarata ninsoare de petale fine. Iar sarbatoarea din primavara aceasta le va aduce cu siguranta japonezilor mai multa seninatate, impacare cu fragila conditie umana, asadar mai multa speranta si putere pentru a salva si recladi regiunile grav calamitate.

As fi vrut sa fiu o mai mare mestera in arta scrisului, si sa astern aici desigur, nah, lucruri mai destepte si profunde ; dar sincer, este destul de dificil sa-ti alegi cuvintele in fata momentelor atat de grele pe care le are de infruntat poporul japonez. Si-atunci mai bine urez sa avem cu totii parte de o primavara frumoasa, calda, si datatoare de bune sperante !

Hanami is an important Japanese custom and is held all over Japan in spring. Hanami literally means viewing flowers, but it generally indicates cherry blossom viewing. It's said that the origin of hanami dates back to more than one thousand years ago when aristocrats enjoyed looking at beautiful cherry blossoms and wrote poems. Nowadays, people in Japan have fun viewing cherry blossoms, drinking and eating. It is like a picnic under the trees. People bring home-cooked meals, do BBQ, or buy take-out food for hanami. In popular hanami spots, there are even competitions for the best spots. If you do not like a crowd, you can go to neighborhood parks/gardens or other quiet places. The most popular kind of Japanese cherry (sakura) tree which can be found everywhere in Japan is somei-yoshino (Yedoensis). Sakura trees bloom at different times throughout Japan, and the blooming period of somei-yoshino is usually short. Cherry blossom festivals take place all over the country. Most of them are held between March to May, though other regions have them in January, February, and June, based on their location. Festival dates are usually determined with reference to cherry blossom forecasts and vary from year to year. Gorgeous flowers are main attractions of the festivals, but a variety of traditional Japanese performing arts presented in many festivals can't be missed. Joining tea ceremonies held under cherry trees can be a memorable experience as well. It's fun to stop by festival vendors which sell various food and souveniors, including regional crafts and speciality food in the region. It's notable that many cherry blossom festivals hold light-up events in the evening.

Hanami - Hanami Party - The Japanese custom of enjoying cherry blossomsalong with the arrival of Spring. See many Hanami pictures. Hanami (, Hanami lit. "flower viewing") is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms ( or , sakura), or ume blossoms (, ume). From late March to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast (, sakurazensen, lit. cherry blossom front) is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two. In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party (Hanami Party) beneath the sakura during daytime or at night. Hanami at night is called yozakura (lit. "night sakura"). In many places such as Ueno Park temporary paper lanterns are hung for the purpose of yozakura.

Hanami Party in Ueno Park Hanami Pictures We have many pictures of cherry blossoms and people enjoying Hanami Party in our Japanese picture gallery including the following sections: Ueno Park Pictures Shinjuku Gyoen National Park Pictures Kitanomaru Park Pictures Hanami History

The practice of hanami is many centuries old. The custom is said to have started during the Nara Period (710784) when the Chinese Tang Dynasty influenced Japan in many ways; one of which was the custom of enjoying flowers. Though it was ume blossoms that people admired in the beginning, by the Heian Period, sakura came to attract more attention. From then on, in tanka and haiku, "flowers" meant "sakura." Hanami was first used as a term analogous to cherry blossom viewing in the Heian era novel Tale of Genji. Whilst a wisteria viewing party was also described, from this point on the terms "hanami" and "flower party" were only used to describecherry blossom viewing. Sakura originally was used to divine that year's harvest as well as an announcer of the riceplanting season. People believed in gods' existence inside the trees and made offerings at the root of sakura trees. Afterwards, they partook of the offering with sake. Emperor Saga of the Heian Period adopted this practice, and held flower-viewing parties with sake and feasts underneath the blossoming boughs of sakura trees in the Imperial Court in Kyoto. Poems would be written praising the delicate flowers, which were seen as a metaphor for life itself, luminous and beautiful yet fleeting and ephemeral. This was said to be the origin of hanami in Japan. The custom was originally limited to the elite of the Imperial Court, but soon spread to samurai society and, by the Edo period, to the common people as well. Tokugawa Yoshimune planted areas of cherry blossom trees to encourage this. Under the sakura trees, people had lunch and drank sake in cheerful feasts. Today, the Japanese people continue the tradition of hanami, gathering in great numbers wherever the flowering trees are found. Thousands of people fill the parks to hold feasts under the flowering trees, and sometimes these parties go on until late at night. In more than half of Japan, the cherry blossoming period coincides with the beginning of the scholastic and fiscal years, and so welcoming parties are often opened with hanami. The teasing proverb dumplings rather than flowers (, hana yori dango) hints at the real priorities for most cherry blossom viewers. (A punning variation, Boys Over Flowers (, Hana Yori Dango), is the title of a manga and anime series.)

Hanami Spring is the favorite season of the Japanese and tourists visiting the country. The mild weather, the myriad shades of budding greenery, the riot of flowers and the accompanying hanami culture makes Japan a much loved destination during spring. Hanami or flower viewing is a very old tradition in Japan. Thoughhanami can be the viewing of any flower, over the centuries it has become synonymous with viewing the famous sakura or cherry blossoms and experiencing the charm of the unfolding of the Japanese spring. Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Life The sakura or cherry blossom is the unofficial national flower of Japan. The magic of the sakura bloom in the beginning of spring is the harbinger of warm and sunny days. In reality, the plum (or ume), the humble cousin of cherry blossom, begins to bloom much ahead of cherry trees and this is in fact the true messenger of forthcoming spring. However, the cherry blossom has created its own special place in the heart of the Japanese because of the accompanyinghanami culture. The sakura starts flowering in Okinawa, the idyllic southernmost island, in late January and the sakura wave then travels northwards, its pace depending on the weather. From January onwards, the nation gears itself for riding the sakura wave. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has a special cell that monitors the budding of these trees nationwide and a daily forecast is issued along with weather predictions. The Japanese and Japan lovers, home and abroad, track the sakura wave or front and hurriedly make their travel plans to view the flowers in the best spot. The success of the Japanese travel industry for both domestic and international tourists depends heavily on the accurate predictions of thesakura budding. Around late March or early April, when the warm spring wind flows from the south, Tokyo and the surrounding areas are engulfed in a wave of beautiful pink and white flowers. More than a

hundred varieties of cherry blossoms grow in Japan. The flowers are an array of shades in white, pink and pale yellow and bloom only for 10-14 days. They are found everywhere across Japan, growing wild in the mountains, forests and riversides or planted in parks, private gardens, schools, public buildings, industrial areas and along many majorsakura avenues. The fleeting season of sakura and the balmy weather of spring beckon the young and old to stop all work, don spring attire, gather under the sakura trees and hanami. The much-loved cherry blossom season is enthusiastically welcomed and it is a festive throughout Japan. Sakura viewing parties are significant for the Japanese, as they believe that sakura possess an inherent vitality that affects those who gather under the flower laden boughs to drinksake, a traditionally brewed, popular rice wine, and write and recite poetry. In the Imperial courts, poems were written in appreciation of the beauty of these short-lived and delicate flowers. Artists, philosophers, writers and nature lovers view the sakura as a simile for life -ethereal, radiant and dazzling, yet momentary and ephemeral. This symbolism of life is a popular subject, contemplated in Japanese literature art, craft and music. It is evident from the lifestyle here, that appreciation of nature and the four distinct seasons is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The growing westernization of Japan in the recent decade has, fortunately, not meddled with this traditional pleasure. The Japanese, both young and old, enthusiastically make special trips to famous cherry blossom viewing venues, to drink sake and enjoy the beauty of spring. Sharing sake is an enjoyable aspect of hanami as Japanese regard drinking as an art of communication and sharing. Nowadays, hanami is synonymous with having picnics and parties with friends and loved ones under the canopy of sakuras and enjoying both modern and traditional music. The hanami season also coincides with the beginning of the academic and fiscal year in Japan, therefore many schools and companies initiate the new comers with hanami. Its quite amusing to see a well dressed corporate tugging a huge picnic mat and hunting for an ideal place to party later in the day with his seniors and colleagues! The Historical Perspective The hanami culture can be traced back to the Nara period in the year 710 when people gathered in the spring to view the plum blossoms. In later years, under the influence of poets and writers who loved the cherry blossom, hanamibecame synonymous with the viewing of this picturesque flower. The tradition of hanami was kept alive by elaborate parties in the Imperial court of Kyoto. This is evident in the historical poems, memoirs, paintings and folding screens of that period. Before the 1600s, the hanami was considered elitist and limited to being celebrated by the members of the Imperial court. It was between 1600 -1857, during the Edo period, that the cherry trees were planted in public areas to encourage common people to celebrate. The tradition continues in contemporary Japan with much enthusiasm and encompasses people from all walks of life. Cherry blossoms in Tokyo The blossoms can be viewed almost anywhere in Japan, but the backdrop of castles, shrines and water bodies enhances their beauty. In Tokyo and its suburbs, the four most popular spots for

cherry blossom festivities are the parks of Ueno, Shinjuku, Yoyogi and Inokashira Goen. These parks have thousands of cherry trees and ample open space. Here you can experience the true hanami culture with the locals and if you are fortunate, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries too. Be prepared for facing crowds here! On a more peaceful note, boat rides can be taken to enjoy the sakura, by the sides of the Sumida River, Meguro River and the moats of the Imperial Palace. Many of these areas are illuminated after dusk for nighttime hanami. It may sound unbelievable, but the most beautiful sakuras can be viewed in the Aoyama cemetery in the heart of Tokyo! It is a peaceful and befitting place to contemplate the life and death analogy of the cherry blossom! Spring is the season to travel to Japan Japan is beautiful in all seasons, but spring is the best time for tourists to travel to Japan. Apart from the mild spring weather, enjoying hanami with the locals is a great way of experiencing the local culture and interacting with people. It reveals a side of the Japanese, which is very different from the one of black-tied, diligent sobriety shown by the media. More over its a festive time and a great way to party in Japan! Location: Throughout Japan, but especially good at Yoshino Dates: Cherry blossoms can begin to appear in Okinawa as early as January and not until May in Hokkaido, but through the bulk of the country theyre usually in flower near the end of March. Level of Participation: 5 picnic and party among the blossoms One of the most beautiful natural sights in Japan is of groves of cherry trees in full blossom, giving the appearance of earthly clouds of flowers. Viewing the blossoms is such a big event that national news services even carry maps of their progress, and its a time when the Japanese throw away their reserve and decide to party. Hanami tradition is to have a picnic party amid the blooming trees, and parties begin with the arrival of the earliest buds and endure to the last clinging blossoms. Both daytime parties and moonlit soirees are standard, as crowds flood the parks with beer and good humour. You can enjoy Hamani anywhere theres a cherry tree in blossom, but a few places have become favourites over the centuries. In Tokyo, Ueno-ken has 1000 flowering cherry trees and is ground zero for the Hamani explosion, making it arguably the most popular spot in the country. At Shinjuku-gyen, one of Tokyos largest parks, youll be able to set up a Hamani party without such crowds. In cherry-central Kyoto, the pick of the spots is Maruyama-ken, where the centrepiece is a massive weeping cherry tree. Its truly one of the citys most gorgeous sights, especially when lit at night. If youre in Kyoto on the second Sunday in April, head out to Daigo-ji temple, where a special procession, in period costume, is held to re-enact a cherry-blossom party held here in 1598. Japans top cherry-blossom destination, however, is the mountain-top Kansai town of Yoshino, where the blossoms of thousands of cherry trees form a floral carpet gradually ascending the mountainsides. Its definitely a sight worth travelling for, though the narrow streets of the village become jammed tight with thousands of visitors at this time. Essentials: The popularity of the most popular Hamani locations means that the best picnic spots are prized bits of turf. Youll undoubtedly see tarpaulins strewn across the grass as people reserve their spots for the day very early in the morning. If you want to be right in the thick of the blossom parties, youll also have to do an early-morning stakeout. If you want to see the

cherry blossoms at Yoshino, youll have to be content with a day trip unless youve booked accommodation long in advance. Local Attractions: In Yoshino, walk about 500m uphill from the cablecar station and youll come to Kimpusen-ji, with a hall said to be the second-largest wooden building in Japan. Inside Ueno-ken youll find the Tokyo National Museum, housing almost 90,000 items, including the worlds largest collection of Japanese art.

Kanji do not express sounds. They express meaning. Kanji take the form of outlines. The meaning is understood from this form. Romaji express sounds. When you see the word "ki (tree)," you know what the pronunciation is, but not what it means. Let's learn the outline and its meaning for each basic unit.

Meaning cherry blossom Reading On-reading: ou Kun-reading: sakura

Mnemonics Cherry blossoms are pretty. A woman is also pretty when she wears a hair ornament. The kanji character "sakura" is a image of woman wearing a hair ornament.

WIKIPEDIA:

National Cherry Blossom Festival From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Jefferson Memorial during the 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington. Mayor Ozaki donated the trees in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations.[1] Contents [hide]

1 Historyo o o

1.1 Early initiatives 1.2 Japanese gift planted 1.3 Cherry Blossom Festival

2 Organization and events of the Festival 3 Types of cherry trees 4 See also 5 References 6 External links [edit]History [edit]Early initiatives

Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore was an early proponent of planting Japanese flowering cherry trees along the Potomac River. The effort to bring cherry trees to Washington, D.C., preceded the official planting by several decades. In 1905, Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore returned from her first trip to Japan and approached the U.S. Army Superintendent of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds with the idea of planting cherry trees along the reclaimed waterfront of the Potomac River. Scidmore, who would go on to become the first female board member of the National Geographic Society, was rebuffed, though she would continue proposing the idea to every Superintendent for the next 24 years.[2] Several cherry trees were brought to the region by individuals in this period, including one that was the location of a 1905 cherry blossom viewing and tea party hosted by Scidmore in northwest D.C. Among the guests was prominent botanist David Fairchild and his fiance Marian, the daughter of inventor Alexander Graham Bell.[3] In 1906, David Fairchild imported 1000 cherry trees from the Yokohama Nursery Company in Japan and planted them on his own property in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Fairchilds were pleased with the results of their planting and in 1907 began promoting Japanese flowering cherry trees as an ideal tree to plant around avenues in the Washington area. On September 26, with the help of the Fairchilds' friends, the Chevy Chase Land Company ordered 300 Oriental cherry trees for the Chevy Chase area. In 1908, Fairchild donated cherry saplings to every D.C. school to plant on its school grounds in observance of Arbor Day. At an Arbor Day speech that Eliza Scidmore attended, Fairchild proposed that the "Speedway" (a now non-existing route around the D.C. Tidal Basin) be turned into a "Field of Cherries."[2] In 1909, Scidmore decided to raise the money to buy cherry trees and donate them to the District. As a matter largely of form, on April 5 she wrote a letter to First Lady Helen Herron Taft, wife

of newly elected president Howard Taft, informing her of her plans. Two days later, the First Lady responded: Thank you very much for your suggestion about the cherry trees. I have taken the matter up and am promised the trees, but I thought perhaps it would be best to make an avenue of them, extending down to the turn in the road, as the other part is still too rough to do any planting. Of course, they could not reflect in the water, but the effect would be very lovely of the long avenue. Let me know what you think about this.[2] By chance, Jokichi Takamine, the Japanese chemist who discovered adrenaline, was in Washington with Mr. Midzuno, the Japanese consul to New York City, on April 8. Informed of a plan to plant Japanese cherry trees along the Speedway, Takamine asked if Mrs. Taft would accept an additional 2000 trees, while Midzuno suggested that the trees be given in the name of Tokyo. Takamine and Midzuo subsequently met with the First Lady, who accepted the offer of 2000 trees.[2]

The original 1910 gift of 2000 cherry trees from Tokyo had to be burned after they were discovered to be infested with agricultural pests and disease On April 13, Spencer Cosby, Superintendent of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, purchased ninety cherry trees (Prunus serrulata) that were planted along the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial south toward East Potomac Park. It was subsequently discovered that the trees were of the cultivar Shirofugen, rather than the ordered Fugenzo. These trees had largely disappeared by the 21st century.[2] On August 30, 1909, the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., informed the U.S. Department of State that the city of Tokyo intended to donate 2000 cherry trees to the United States to be planted along the Potomac. These trees arrived in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 1910. However, the inspection team from the Department of Agriculture found that the trees were infested with insects and nematodes, concluding that the trees had to be destroyed to protect local

growers. President Taft gave the order to burn the trees on January 28.[2] Secretary of StatePhilander C. Knox wrote a letter expressing the regret of all involved to the Japanese Ambassador. Takamine responded to the news with another donation for more trees, 3020 in all, of a lineage taken from a famous group of trees along the Arakawa River in Tokyo and grafted onto stock from Itami, Hyogo Prefecture. On February 14, 1912, 3020 cherry trees of twelve cultivars were shipped on board the Awa Maru and arrived in D.C. via rail car from Seattle on March 26.[2] [edit]Japanese gift planted

Photographers and painters along theTidal Basin under blossoming cherry trees, 1920 In a ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of these trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. At the end of the ceremony, the First Lady presented Viscountess Chinda with a bouquet of 'American Beauty' roses. These two trees still stand at the terminus of 17th Street Southwest, marked by a large plaque.[2] By 1915, the United States government had responded with a gift of flowering dogwoodtrees to the people of Japan.[4] From 1913 to 1920, trees of the Somei-Yoshino variety, which comprised 1800 of the gift, were planted around the Tidal Basin. Trees of the other 11 cultivars, and the remaining Yoshinos, were planted in East Potomac Park. In 1927, a group of American school children re-enacted the initial planting. In 1934, the District of Columbia Commissioners sponsored a three-day celebration of the flowering cherry trees. [edit]Cherry Blossom Festival

The Washington Monument, as seen from West Potomac Parkacross the Tidal Basin The first "Cherry Blossom Festival" was held in 1935 under joint sponsorship by numerous civic groups, becoming an annual event. The cherry trees had by this point became an established part of the nation's capitol. In 1938, plans to cut down trees to clear ground for the Jefferson Memorial prompted a group of women to chain themselves together at the site in protest. A compromise was reached where more trees would be planted along the south side of the Basin to frame the Memorial. A Cherry Blossom Pageant was begun in 1940.[2] On December 11, 1941, four trees were cut down. It is suspected that this was retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan four days earlier, though this was never confirmed. In hopes of dissuading people from further attacks upon the trees during the war, they were referred to as "Oriental" flowering cherry trees for the war's duration.[2] Suspended during World War II, the festival resumed in 1947 with the support of the Washington, D.C., Board of Trade and the D.C. Commissioners.[citation needed] In 1948, the Cherry Blossom Princess and U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen program were started by the National Conference of State Societies. A Princess was selected from each state and federal territory, with a queen chosen to reign over the festival. In 1952, Japan requested help restoring the cherry tree grove at Adachi, Tokyo along the Arakawa River, which was the parent stock of the D.C. trees but had diminished during the war. In response, the National Park Service sent budwood back to Tokyo.[2] The Japanese ambassador gave a 300-year old stone lantern to the city of Washington to commemorate the signing of the 1854 Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Friendship by

Commodore Matthew C. Perry. For a number of years, the lighting of this lantern formally opened the Festival. Three years later, the president of the pearl company started by Mikimoto Kkichi donated the Mikimoto Pearl Crown. Containing more than five pounds of gold and 1,585 pearls, the crown is used at the coronation of the Festival Queen at the Grand Ball. The next year, the Mayor of Yokohama gifted a stone pagoda to the City to "symbolize the spirit of friendship between the United States of America manifested in the Treaty of Peace, Amity and Commerce signed at Yokohama on March 31, 1854."[2]

Lady Bird Johnson plants a cherry tree along the Tidal Basinduring the 1965 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Japanese gave 3,800 more Yoshino trees in 1965, which were accepted by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. These trees were grown in the United States and many were planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument. For the occasion, the First Lady and Ryuji Takeuchi, wife of the Japanese ambassador, reenacted the 1912 planting. In 1982, Japanese horticulturalists took cuttings from Yoshino trees in Washington, D.C., to replace cherry trees that had been destroyed in a flood in Japan. From 1986 to 1988, 676 cherry trees were planted using US$101,000 in private funds donated to the National Park Service to restore the trees to the number at the time of the original gift.[2] In 1994, the Festival was expanded to two weeks to accommodate the many activities that happen during the trees' blooming.[5] Two years later, the Potomac and Arakawa became sister rivers. Cuttings were taken from the documented 1912 trees in 1997 to be used in replacement plantings and thus preserve the genetic heritage of the grove. In 1999, fifty trees of the Usuzumi variety from Motosu, Gifu, were planted in West Potomac Park. According to legend, these trees

were first planted by Emperor Keitai in the 6th century and were designated a National Treasure of Japan in 1922.[2]From 2002 to 2006, 400 trees propagated from the surviving 1912 trees were planted to ensure the genetic heritage of the original donation is maintained.[2]

Visitors in a cherry grove on the National Mall, April 5, 2009 [edit]Organization and events of the Festival Today the National Cherry Blossom Festival is coordinated by the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., an umbrella organization consisting of representatives of business, civic, and governmental organizations. More than 700,000 people visit Washington each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees that herald the beginning of spring in the nation's capital. The two-week festival begins on the last Saturday of March with a Family Day and an official opening ceremony in the National Building Museum.[6][7] An array of activities and cultural events takes place on the following days.[8] The Blossom Kite Festival (formerly the Smithsonian Kite Festival) usually takes place during the festival's first weekend. Every day there is asushi/sake celebration, classes about cherry blossoms, and a bike tour of the Tidal Basin. Other events include art exhibits (photography, sculpture, animation), cultural performances,rakugo, kimono fashion shows, dance, singing, martial arts, merchant-sponsored events, and a rugby union tournament. On the second Saturday of the celebration, a three-stage festival takes place on the Southwest Waterfront.[9] When the festival ends, a fireworks show begins on the nearby Washington Channel.[10] The next morning, the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run begins on the grounds of

the Washington Monument.[11] Later in the day, dignitaries gather at the Tidal Basin to participate in a ceremonial lighting of the 360-year old Japanese stone lantern.[12] On the last Saturday of the festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade takes place along Constitution Avenue.[13] During and after the parade, the Sakura Matsuri-Japanese Street Festival (see Japanese festivals), the largest Japanese Cultural Festival in the United States, takes place at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest.[14] Because the festival must be planned long in advance, it sometimes fails to be celebrated during the peak of the cherry blooms. In 2009, the National Cherry Blossom Festival introduced an alternative event to its lineup, with the debut of Cherry Blast, an underground-ish mix of projected art, dance performances, live music, fashion and DJs that took place in an empty (but festively decorated) Anacostia warehouse. (Most of the crowd was shuttle-bussed in from Dupont Circle.) In 2010, Cherry Blast IIthe creation of artist Philippa P. Hughes of the Pink Line Projectmoved to a storage warehouse in Adams Morgan, but still featured an eclectic group of local artists and musicians.[15] Cherry Blast III took place indoors near the Southwest Waterfront in the evening of the 2011 festival's second Saturday,[16] during and after the festival's nearby fireworks show.[10] [edit]Types of cherry trees

The Yoshino cultivar is the most common in D.C. and can be found encircling the Tidal Basin Of the initial gift of 12 varieties of 3,020 trees, twothe Yoshino and Kwanzannow dominate.[17] The Yoshino produces single white blossoms that create an effect of white clouds around the Tidal Basin and north onto the grounds of the Washington Monument. Intermingled with the

Yoshino are a small number of Akebono cherry trees, which bloom at the same time as the Yoshino and produce single, pale-pink blossoms.[17][18] The Kwanzan grows primarily in East Potomac Park and comes into bloom two weeks after the Yoshino. It produces clusters of clear pink double blossoms. East Potomac Park also has Fugenzo, which produces rosy pink double blossoms, and Shirofugen, which produces white double blossoms that age to pink.[17][19] Interspersed among all the trees are the Weeping Cherry, which produces a variety of single and double blossoms of colors ranging from dark pink to white about a week before the Yoshino. Other cultivars that can be found are the Autumn Cherry (semi-double, pink), Sargent Cherry (single, deep pink), Usuzumi (white-grey), and Takesimensis.

http://lumeamare.ro/2011/08/17/alina-radulescu-pelerinul-indragostit/ Da, mi amintesc discuia cu Laura i este adevrat c la astfel de ocazii de bea relativ mult. Pe lng funcia social, alcoolul are i o funcie ritual i o s ncerc s vorbesc un pic despre amndou. Yanagita Kunio scria despre butul alcoolului la festivaluri c, din cele mai vechi timpuri, este vzut ca necesar pentru a crea starea aceea de veselie care face timpul sacru s fie srbtorit. Festivalurile nu sunt evenimente mondene, sunt ocazii n care comunitatea vine mpreun pentru a se rentregi, cred eu. Japonezii sunt o naie de timizi, aa c alcoolul a fost dintotdeauna parte din festivaluri tocmai pentru c ntlnirea cu ntreaga comunitate are un efect psihologic copleitor. Mai mult, festivalul nu este doar o ocazie de ntlnire cu ntreaga comunitate, dar i cu zeii care, pe perioada lui, coboar din ceruri pentru a srbtori cu oamenii. Japonezii poate nu o s-i spun asta n fa, atunci cnd eti la festival, dar eti n prezena zeilor, iar n strfundul sufletului lor aceast prezen este acut contientizat. n partea cretin a lumii exist noiunea de ateu, care te scutete de a te supune oricrui ritual, dar n Japonia nu vorbim despre o religie sau alta, ci despre credina popular practicat n rndul oamenilor, fr a fi supus neaprat vreunei instituii. De aceea, n mintea tuturor japonezilor exist ideile astea, motenite de la o generaie la alta. Pe de alt parte, alcoolul are funcii sacre. Nu doar n Japonia, n multe dintre culturile lumii. Sake-le este fcut din orez, principala recolt a Japoniei, aa c este normal c o parte din acesta s fie nmnat zeilor. Omiki, sake-le oferit zeilor, este n multe ritualuri chiar momentul de ncepere, fiind un semn de trecere de la viaa cotidian n spaiul ritual i este considerat indispensabil. Cred c asta este partea pe care nu o vedem noi, partea spiritual. n cazul Festivalului Florilor de Cire, situaia este un pic diferit, pentru c el s-a nscut ca o ocazie monden, ca un eveniment social i era la origine, un obicei al elitelor, apoi a fost preluat de samurai. Hanami, vizionarea florilor ce cire, era i este o ocazie de a fi n prezena naturii, de a te bucura de caracterul ei efemer. Florile de cire se scutur repede i japonezii cred c ele reprezint un fel de ideal de via: se scutur, dar nu se ofilesc i oamenii ar trebui s fie la fel, s triasc demni i s moar nainte de a-i pierde frumuseea. Simpla vedere a florilor de cire le provoac japonezilor nostalgie i nostalgia asta reuete s-i rup din ritmul vieii lor normale i s-i determine s-i ofere o zi ntreag de petrecut cu cei dragi la umbra cireilor. Alcoolul are aici cam aceiai funcie ca o orice petrecere i nu mi se pare c stric n niciun fel frumuseea srbtorii. Tot Yanagita zicea c o dat cu epoca Taisho, cnd urbanizarea Japoniei se accentueaz crete consumul de alcool, pentru c n ora aproape zilnic ai ocazia s ntlneti oameni pe care nu i cunoti, iar asta e ca i cum ar fi srbtoare n fiecare zi. Cred c se poate spune c socializarea n Japonia presupune alcool. Noi ieim cu cineva la o cafea ca s-l cunoatem, japonezii ies la un nomikai, adic la o but. Pentru fiecare membru nou ntr-o companie se organizeaz un nomikai, la fiecare nceput de an universitar are loc un nomikai

i tot aa. Discuia ar fi prea lung despre de ce este aa, dar cred c n niciun caz nu trebuie s-i judecm, pentru c exist profunde implicaii culturale n obiceiul sta.

Scribd

In perioada Heian (794-1185), admirarea infloritului ciresilor era rezervata numai claseiaristocrate. Odata cu perioada Momoyama (1568-1600), insa, obiceiul s-a extins inrandurile intregii populatii, iar astazi este un simbol national. In Japonia exista peste 400de specii de ciresi care nu sunt plantati pentru fructe, ci numai pentru flori. Perioada deinflorire incepe cu luna ianuarie in Okinawa si culmineaza cu o adevarata "explozie deflori" spre sfarsitul lui martie si inceputul lui aprilie, in special in regiunea Honshu. InHokkaido, sakura atinge maximul de frumusete in luna mai, in iunie fiind sfarsitul perioadei de inflorire.Sakura

este un motiv de bucurie atat pentru localnici, cat si pentru turisti. De obicei estesarbatorita prin tot felul de petreceri si festivaluri cu participare foarte numeroasa (in japoneza, acestea poarta numele de hanami). Astfel, in aceste zile, locurile publicefaimoase pentru inflorirea ciresilor (cum ar fi, de exemplu, parcul Ueno din Tokio) suntintesate de lume si chiar se dau adevarate batalii pentru ocuparea celor mai bune pozitii.Oamenii merg sa priveasca sakura insotiti de familie, prieteni, cunoscuti sau chiar colegide serviciu.Festivalurile florilor de cires sunt unele dintre cele mai cunoscute si mai vechi traditii japoneze. Adauga la acestea templele din Kyoto si Nara, ceremonia ceaiului, sanctuarelesi muzeele de istorie si vei avea una dintre cele mai fascinante si mai misterioase vacante.Romanul lui Arthur Golden este cel care a atras din nou atentia asupra unei laturi aJaponiei - gheisele. Oricine a vazut ecranizarea romanului si-a dorit, macar pentru unmoment, sa se fi nascut cu un secol in urma, daca nu pentru a admira dansurile firave alegheiselor, macar pentru a se hrani din cultura demna si discreta a Japoniei acelui timp.Gheisele mai exista si astazi, dar, in afara de turisti, nimeni nu le mai acorda atat de multaatentie ca pe vremuri. Asemeni samurailor, gheisele isi pastreaza totusi rolul in societatea japoneza si continua sa fascineze cu imaginea lor misterioasa.Cele mai cunoscute hanamichi (cartiere de gheise) pot fi gasite in Tokio si Kyoto.Medievalul Edo, asa cum era cunoscut Tokio, era, pana nu de mult, vizitat pentruYoshiwara, cartierul placerilor, unde actorii si cantaretii se amestecau pe strazi cu turistiisi comerciantii. In Kyoto, distractia isi avea locul in cartierul Shimabara, locul in care siastazi gheisele isi intretin clientii la faimoasele ceremonii ale ceaiului.Denumirea oficiala a Japoniei este Nipponkoku, in traducere "Tara de la origineasoarelui". Potrivit legendei, Tara Soarelui Rasare a fost creata de zei. Se spune ca acestiaau infipt o sabie in ocean si cand au scos-o, din cele patru picaturi de apa care se scurgeaude pe sabie au aparut cele patru insule ale Japoniei. Astazi, Japonia este un caleidoscopcultural, undeva la intersectia dintre masini, computere, electronice si gheise, bonsai,ceremonia ceaiului, ikebana. Si, cu toate ca, probabil, ati vazut tot felul de filme sidocumentare despre aceasta tara la televizor, nimic nu se compara cu senzatia traita inmomentul in care pasesti pentru prima oara pe taramul florilor de cires.In plus, o vizita intr-o tara atat de calda si de colorata s-ar putea sa fie exact ce-ti trebuie

dupa o iarna atat de lunga si de friguroasa. Una dintre cele mai relaxante experiente estechiar circuitul centrelor de spa, sau, mai exact, circuitul bailor calde (onsen) din cadrulspa-urilor japoneze. Sunt peste 3.000 astfel de onsen localizate in toata tara care, desisunt deschise publicului aproape pe tot parcursul anului, in anotimpurile reci sunt extremde aglomerate. Nimic nu e mai placut decat sa te scufunzi intr-o piscina fierbinte in timpce respiri aerul rece al iernii tarzii, sorbi incet dintr-o ceasca de sake si admiri muntiiinzapeziti aflati la doar cativa pasi mai incolo.Arhipelagul japonez este localizat in zona celor mai activi vulcani asiatici, asa ca sursaizvoarelor termale este nesecata. "Baile divine" (kamiyu), cum le numesc localnicii, suntcele mai sanatoase tratamente naturale de sanatate si frumusete inca din antichitate.Puterile tamaduitoare ale onsen-urilor stau in bogatia de minerale si saruri care vin dinadancurile

muntilor vulcanici. Unde mai pui ca, de multe ori, combinatia de piscinafierbinte in mijlocul naturii si cele cateva guri de sake, traditionale, de altfel, ajung satransforme si cel mai conservator turist intr-un petrecaret convins. www.zf.roCea mai potrivita vreme de vizitat Japonia este primavara, in perioada festivalului florilor de cires (numite sakura), cand se pot privi florile (hanami) in toata splendoarea lor: Sakura este numele ciresului si florii sale in limba japoneza. Hanami este"vizionarea florilor", un obicei tipic japonez si cu profunzimi care scapa ochiuluioccidental. Sarbatoarea florii de cires, floare nationala a niponilor, este una dintre cele mai populare,iubite si spectaculoase traditii japoneze.Desi cand ating stadiul de boboc au infatisare modesta, ciresii complet infloriti suntsplendizi, invaluiti in norisori pufosi de petale roz. Nebunia florilor de cires tine cateva zile, si se incheie printr-o ninsoare de petale roz.Florile de cires sunt asociate cu mortalitatea omului si, prin extensie, cu impacarea in fatamortii.Pasiunea japonezilor este atat de mare pentru florile de cires, incat unii calatoresc din sudspre nord, o data cu frontul de aer cald care deschide bobocii, pentru a vedea minuneainfloririi lor.Ciresii infloresc prima data in sud, in Okinawa, la sfarsitul lui februarie, si ajung sa sedeschida in iunie in Hokkaido.In fiecare an, Agentia Meteorologica japoneza urmareste, impreuna cu publicul, sakurazensen (frontul florilor de cires), pe masura ce se muta spre nordul arhipelagului.La Kyoto si Tokyo, sezonul florilor de cires incepe la sfarsitul lui martie- inceputul luiaprilie.

aponezii acorda mare atentie buletinele meteorologice si se deplaseaza in numar mare in parcuri, temple si alte locuri, pentru a tine petreceri de vizionare a florilor de cires.Festivalele Hanami sarbatoresc frumusetea sakura si sunt o ocazie de relaxare intr-unmediu inflorit.Hanami are o istorie de cateva sute de ani in Japonia, iar numele spune tot - hanainseamna "floare" iar mi inseamna "a privi".n petrecerile organizate cu aceasta ocazie, oamenii se simt bine, beau, mananca si canta,ziua sau noaptea. Este ca un urias picnic sub copacii infloriti, iar japonezii vaneaza celemai bune locuri pentru observarea florilor.Ciresii pot fi gasiti pretutindeni in Japonia, in special in jurul castelelor, malurilor raurilor, in parcuri si curtile scolilor.Cel mai faimos loc unde se pot admira ciresii in floare in Japonia este, fara indoiala,Muntele Yoshinoyama. 30.000 de ciresi acopera muntele, templele si vechiul castel cu o patura de petale roz frumos mirositoare./www.ziare.com"Sakura no hana ga sakimasu". (Infloresc florile de cires!) A venit primavara! Si chiar daca la noi explozia cromatica nu s-a instalat, Japonia este cea mai fericita, caci are partede primii ciresi infloriti din lume.In Japonia si cu precadere in Tokio, sa privesti ciresii infloriti, plimbandu-te pe aleilesinuoase sub ploaia de petale, e aproape o sarbatoare nationala si un veritabil evenimentcultural. Milioane de oameni, atat japonezi cat si turisti din toata lumea calatoresc mii dekilometri, traverseaza oceanul special pentru aroma si pentru spectacolul oferit de acesti pomi fructiferi.

"Shikishima no/ Yamato-gokoro wo/ Hito-towaba,/ Asahi ni niou/ Yamazakura bana ".(Daca cineva te intreaba ce e in inima unui adevarat japonez, ar trebui sa-i arati florile decires stralucind in soare) Norinaga Motoori (1730-1801)Florile de cires, denumite sakura in japoneza, sunt luate foarte serios in Japonia. Oriceturist sau vizitator poate sa observe ca nu e doar un eveniment trecator, ci atunci cand levine vremea, ciresii sunt ridicati la rangul de zei. Sakura este peste tot: in arta, in cestilede ceai, in reclamele de la TV, pe hartiile de impachetat cadouri, pe tricourile oamenilor.Si nu e vorba doar de tendinta comerciala. Ciresii infloriti devin stema Japoniei, un brandde tara sezonier.Floarea oficiala a familiei imperiale japoneze este "chrysanthemm" . Ba mai multfloarea de cires a devenit nationala, nerecunoscuta oficial, dar totusi unanim acceptata.Dintre toate florile din tara, doar cea de cires poate provoca atata incantare: japoneziirenunta la tot ce au de facut si alerga in parcuri si gradini pentru a se bucura de ninsoarea parfumata a ciresilor. In fiecare primavara, locuitorii asteapta cu nerabdare si cu un soide manie primele semne de inflorire ale pomilor. Si stau in aceasta asteptare febrila de anide zile. Nimic nu se schimba in dragostea lor fata de sakura.Oamenii au inceput sa-si planifice vacantele in functie de acest eveniment, ba mai multinflorirea ciresilor este notata in calendar si este prezentata in prognoza meteo ca uneveniment meteorologic. In aceasta perioada natura se trezeste la viata si totul setransforma intr-o lume de poveste. Chiar si centrele urbane sunt cateodata bombardate deflori albe, roz si uneori galbene. Ele pun mai mult in valoare templele, fantanile purificatoare, pagodele, castelele si monumentele traditionalewww.9am.roCivilizaia japonez este una care te uimete. Dup sute de ani, ca s nu spunem mii, ea pstreaz tradiia admirrii florilor de cire. Insulele japoneze au peste 400 de varieti decirei decorativi.Unele ncep s nfloreasc de la final de ianuarie, n insulele din sud, i sfresc la nceputde mai n insulele din nord. O perioad de basm, n care cireul i florile sale devinadevrate vedete, aflate n atenia publicului de pretutindeni.Practic, grdinile publice unde sunt plantai cireii devin spaii pentru admirat florile iexist o adevrat btlie an de an pentru a prinde cele mai bune locuri - ca la un adevratspectacol. i nu trebuie s te afli n Japonia pentru a asista la acest eveniment, pentru c japonezii au dus cu sine tradiia n ntreaga lume.Alturi de ceremonialul ceaiului, Festivalul florii de cire este una dintre cele maicunoscute tradiii.