Flowers

The cherry, the pride of Japan, the coronation of spring, breaks out into pink clouds of blossoms that gradually spread over the Empire in early April. The Sakura-no-hana, the cherry blossom of Japan, is glorified and worshiped as no other flower in all the world. It symbolizes perfection to the Japanese and satisfies their aesthetic sense. Among many varieties of cherry trees there are sixteen principal species of blossoming trees. Almost all varieties bear their blossoms on leafless branches. The “seven grasses” are the hagi, susuki, kuzu, nadeshiko, ominaeshi, fujibakama, and hirugao. The real beauty of the pine tree can be seen only in Japan. In other countries, however large the trees may grow, shapely ones are very rare. The “Sailboat” at the Kin-kakuji Temple, Kyoto, is a good example of the artificially shaped trees. It is made out of one pine tree and about a hundred years is supposed to have been spent in its making.