Hanami literally means ‘flower viewing’, however, over the years the term now commonly only refers to cherry blossom viewing.
At the heart of Sakura season lies the tradition of Hanami, a cherished custom that dates back centuries. In Japanese folklore, cherry blossoms represented fertility and growth, and because they grew in the mountains they also represented a spiritual landscape inhabited by powerful Shinto deities called Kami.
Beginning in the 9th Century, saplings and trees were brought down from the mountains to grace of the aristocracy. The Japanese aristocrats would go to the mountains to view the cherry blossoms and recite poetry. Over time the elite decided to plant cherry blossom trees in a Kyoto temple and built tree houses to accommodation selected guests.
Due to popularity, cherry blossom viewing became a pastime for all by the 18th Century and continues to this day across the whole country.
Families, friends, and colleagues gather under these graceful trees to partake in picnics, socialise, and appreciate the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms. It is a time of joy and celebration, as people come together to revel in the ephemeral splendour of nature.
