2023/03/21 10:00 Weather news
When most people think of hanami, they think of cherry blossoms, and when they think of cherry blossoms, many people think of Yoshino cherry trees (Somei Yoshino).
Unlike someiyoshino, which is said to have been artificially created by gardeners at the end of the Edo period, wild cherry blossoms have been growing wild in Japan since ancient times.
Let’s take a closer look at what kind of cherry blossoms Yamazakura are.
Wild cherry blossoms in full bloom on Mt. Yoshino in Nara
When it comes to cherry blossom viewing, many people probably think of Mt. Yoshino in Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture.
It is said that there are as many as 30,000 cherry blossom trees that bloom in late spring, covering Mount Yoshino.
Many species of cherry blossoms bloom on Mt. Yoshino, but most of them are wild cherry trees, originally planted by humans.
It is not so to say that it was planted for cherry blossom viewing.
Since the Nara period, 1300 years ago, Mt. Yoshino has been believed to be a mountain where the gods dwell. It is said that saplings of wild cherry trees and other cherry trees were planted on Mt. Yoshino as sacred trees.
The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes of the Kii Mountain Range, which includes Mt. Yoshino, is also registered as a World Heritage Site (Cultural Heritage). It depends.
The cherry blossoms of Mt. Yoshino deserve to be called “Zessho”. If you know the background etc., it seems that the appreciation and beauty will increase even more.
“Yamazakura has white flowers and young red leaves”
One of the major characteristics of Yamazakura is that the white flowers and reddish young leaves open at the same time. It may be easier to understand if you remember that “Yamazakura has white flowers and young red leaves”.
On the other hand, someiyoshino flowers are pale pink. Somei-Yoshino cherry trees turn red in autumn, but young leaves do not grow during flowering.
The wild cherry blossoms bloom after the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, so even if you miss the Somei Yoshino cherry blossom viewing, you still have a chance to see the cherry blossoms.
Is “Oyamazakura” a large version of Yamazakura?
It is named “Oyamazakura” because it has larger leaves than Yamazakura, and it is also called “Ezozakura” because it is often seen in Hokkaido.
The flowers and reddish young leaves open at the same time as Yamazakura, but the flowers are more reddish than Yamazakura. Therefore, it is also called “Beniyamazakura”.
On the other hand, wild cherry blossoms such as Mt. Yoshino bloom white flowers, so they are sometimes called “white wild cherry blossoms.”
Yamazakura (Shiroyamazakura), which prefers warm climates, and Oyamazakura, which blooms brightly even in cold climates. Even cherry blossoms with the same name “Yamazakura” have some differences.
Do you want to compose novel haiku?
〜Voice of stone and voice of water, Yamazakura〜
This is the work of Ms. Tsukisuzu Kubota (1916-1992), who was active as a haiku poet while working for a company. It is a tranquil and pure poem.
〜Yamamatayama Yamazakura Matayamazakura〜
This is the work of Seiho Awano (1899-1992), a haiku poet who studied under Kyoshi Takahama.
Well, what should we read?
This is obediently read as “Yamamatamayamayamazakura and yamazakura”.
Haiku is basically “5-7-5”, but this haiku is “6-7-5”.
A poem written only in kanji. This is a novel haiku. It seems that the mountains and wild cherry blossoms are approaching in front of you.
Yamazakura’s flower language is “smile at you”.
Yamazakura can be seen not only in the mountains but also in parks.
It would be wonderful if I could enjoy watching wild cherry blossoms in the mountains and parks, and smile with my family, friends, and passers-by.
Reference materials, etc.
“Sakura Handbook” (Author / Takaaki Ohara, Publisher / Bunichi General Publishing), “Pocket Encyclopedia Konohana” (Supervisor / Toshiaki Oshima, Publisher / Seibido Publishing), “365 Days Saijiki Above January ~ June” (edited and authored by Kazuaki Natsuo, published by PHP Research Institute), “Japan’s No. 1 Cherry Blossom” (authored by Kaoru Marutani, published by Kodansha), “Birds and Insects of Haiku” (supervised / reprinted) Ichiro, Publisher: Seibido Publishing), “Kansai Haiku Saijiki Spring” (Editor: Kenkichi Yamamoto, Publisher: Bungeishunju), “Beautiful Flower Words, Flower Encyclopedia” (Author: Kouji Ninomiya, Publisher: Natsumesha ), Yoshino Town “Mt. Yoshino and Cherry Blossoms”, Yoshino Town “Mt. Yoshino and Cherry Blossoms” (
