Sakura and its message from Nara Park

Early-blooming Higan-sakura （彼岸桜）prior to the Sakura season

In Japan, Sakura, or cherry blossom, is more than just a beautiful tree blossom. 

It is the epitome of transient beauty in this world. 

Though Sakura season lasts about two weeks, each blossom blooms less than a week.  

As we know, nothing in this world remains forever in the same way. 

So, let’s enjoy the beauty while it lasts, any moment of NOW.

- Early stage of Sakura -

Along the Ara-ike Pond

The former museum of special products of Nara, 旧奈良物産陳列所(1902)

The Sansha-ike Pond in the Kasugano Park

- Sakura in full bloom -

The roof of the Todai-ji Buddha Hall, the world's largest wooden structure

Kasugano Park

Near the Mt. Wakakusa

Weeping Sakura tree near the Nigatsu-do Hall

The path down to the Sagi-ike Pond from Marumado

Somei-yoshino, (染井吉野) the most widely planted and cultivated flowering cherry in Japan

Multiple-petaled weeping Sakura, Beni-yutaka (紅豊)

Personally I prefer Sakura's final stage for the "Ｓakura fubuki" (cherry blossoms blizzard),
numerous dancing and drifting Sakura petals in the breeze,

and sakura-colored carpet on the ground.

- Final stage of Sakura -

Across the spring sky, on the ground or pond, or in the fields, there is the hazy shades of pink, 

as far as you can see. 

As I walk through, Sakura blossoms conjured up various memories associated with them 
including my father, who passed away on the 9th of April long years ago.

In the Sakura blizzard, I hear Sakura whishpering;

“Live your life graceful to the fullest, treasure any moment of your life to the very end.

When you live according to the will of Nature, everything will be all right."

Only this photo is from Umami Hills Park

My second granddaughter Y arrived this world escorted by the Sakura spirit on the first of April.

Today I accompanied Y to the entrance ceremony of the kindergarten ten days later her 3rd birthday. 

She is in the Dandelion class (three-year-old class) as the youngest of her classmates. 

Individual difference is so large at this stage of growth, but I think she'll be just all right being as she is.

As long as possible, I’ll watch over her grow and develop her personality
 in each stage of her bloom.

The Sakura Front is going north.

My part of the world is entering The Season of "新緑 Shinryoku".


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