Sakura season, 2024

Relatively warm winter made people expect the early arrival of Sakura, 

cherry blossoms, but cold March prevented it.

Sakura wouldn't open in the air less than 15 degrees C.

In Nara, their blossoming was about a week later than "recent usual", 

but the same with the "usua in my childhood".

Somei-yoshino, or Yoshino cherry

染井吉野 Somei Yoshino is the most widely planted cultivar across Japan.

The flowers grow in clusters of five or six together.

Their color is pale-pink, light-colored compared to other varieties.

It is spectacular to see the etherela flowers blooming in abundance on each branch

all at once.

It has a distinctive feature to bloom before the leaves emerge.

- 奈良公園 Nara Park -

Only two days later than the official announcement about the first blooming 

of Somei-yoshino, the blossoms were nearing to their best in open sunny places 

due to the highly accelerated warming up.

  

Sakura and Kobushi (Magnolia kobus) at the 鷺池 Sagi-ike Pond

There seemed to be more overseas tourists than Japanese.

春日野園地 Kasugano-enchi Park

- The garden of 甍 Iraka, New Public Hall -

-海龍王寺 Kairyu-oh-ji Temple -

 -佐保川 Saho River -

Another two days later, Sakura were at their best barely before petals drifting in air.

I loved these blossoms at first sight.

Petals are tinted pink slightly and fringed a little deeper pink.

I wonder what variety this Sakura tree is.

Saho River is one of my favorite walking courses, especially in spring and autumn.

It flows southwest through the center of Nara City.

About 1,000 Somei-yoshino trees line the banks.

@NaraConcierge

I always start from 図書情報館 Tosho Johokan, Nara Prefectural Library

 and Information Center.

Exhibition of kinetic art is held till April 21st.

The word "kinetic" means works relating to motion.

In contrast to static sculptures, movement is incorporated into art.

They are imaginative, lively and interesting works of art of which parts 

are moving and making mechanical sound.

As of today, Sakura season is still in halfway.

The report of Sakura is to be continued.

Stay tuned!

Linked to Saturday's Critters

Mosaic Monday