Sakura in all its glory

From late March to mid-April or even early May, lovely shades of pink of sakura (cherry blossoms) blanket my country in soft and sweet splendor as different species of sakura bloom one after another.  

Deep pink weeping sakura (Benishidare) adorns the white walls of a house.

Pale pink weeping sakura

There are pink mist or clouds in fields, villages, and towns, or across the spring sky as far as you can see.  

When Japanese people say “Sakura season has come.”, the sakura means Somei-yoshino variety, which is one of the most popular and widely planted and cultivated flowering cherries in Japan.

Somei-yoshino in the glow of the setting sun

There are many places renowned as best sights for sakura-viewing, but you don't have to go to special places as they are everywhere.

Along the river

Sakura-viewing from a boat

Around the pond in my neighborhood

Sakura burst into bloom and then fall fleetingly and gracefully. 
When time comes, petals fall down like snowflakes even when there is hardly any breeze.

They remind us of how transient life is.

Life is about ten to fourteen days from buds to falling to the ground.

In my previous post about a French song “Ma Solitude”, I enjoyed your reaction to “solitude”. English word “solitude” is “kodoku” in Japanese which contains rather negative aspect of being alone. How about French “solitude”? The song title was “My Loneliness” in English translation.

Regarding English two words “solitude” and “loneliness”, I understand “solitude” as glorious aspect of being alone, while “loneliness” as sad and lonely aspect. We humans are fragile existence with impermanence, uncertainty, and sufferings. However, isn't it our strength and glory to live positively with the awareness of such weakness of ours in our mind?  Can't we live like sakura?

I always feel the sense of mystery and magic emanating from sakura.

Hope you enjoyed each sakura scene bathed in different light.

Enjoy your spring or autumn no matter what the weather is, dear Friends!