This weekend the sakura ,cherry blossoms, were man kai... in full bloom. And they really were stunning. The blossom laden branches always kind of remind me a bit of pale pink octopus legs waving in the wind. From a distance, the blossoms have that same kind of texture. I am apparantly the only one who has ever made this connection though. So maybe I am just weird.
The usually stinky Tokyo air has been scented with the faintest hint of cinnamon sweetness that is the scent of cherry blossoms. People all over the place are copping a spot under whatever cherry tree they can find and having a picnic with family, friends or co-workers. And picining under the cherry blossoms and having a drink is often the best excuse for busy people to make time to spend with friends they haven't seen for a long time.
The two main party seasons in Japan: end of the year parties (bon nen kai) and hana-mi (sitting under cherry blossoms and drinking, eating, having a good chat).
This will be a short season this year. We had a lot of rain and high wind today that will have peeled off most of the petals. Otherwise, we might have gotten one more weekend of the season in.
I had a chance to go walking outside before the rain got too heavy. The rain dampened the chemical stink of cars and city and rejuvinated the earthy smell that struggles in a city and highlighted that delicious cherry blossom scent. I say delicious because some Japanese sweets are made using that essence and it tastes just like that smell!
Another thing that people really like here is watching the petals fall of the trees like spring snow or wedding confetti. And that really is the symbol, it buds, it blossoms, it's beauty is enjoyed, and then it's no more.. just a memory in the wind.
I'd say that today, the wedding confetti image held more strongly... like throwing confetti on a rainy day. It just kind of falls in clumps rather than flutters and just sticks to everything.
Still, I like looking at the petals stuck to the pavement and the piles of flowers and petals that gather up in small dunes in the gutters, along sidewalks and against houses.
For some reason, this year, I feel the whole cycle of the sakura much more strongly.