Cherry Trees in Full Blossom
Cherry blossoms are definitely one of the most popular flowers among Japanese people. In Japanese poetry after the 10th century (the Heian period), only a single Japanese word "hana" meaning "fowers or blossoms" has always referred to "cherry blossoms." It is also true in everyday conversation even now. For example, when someone says, "Let’s go viewing hana (flowers) in the park," the person intends to say, “Let’s enjoy the cherry blossoms in the park."
Cherry trees can be divided into two groups. One is a group of natural species and the other is that of garden species. Most of cherry trees we see in parks and other artificial places today are those of one garden species named "Somei-yoshino." The type was put on the market in the 19th century (in the late Edo period) for the first time. After that, it became so popular, and Japanese people have kept on planting the trees here and there. As a lot of cherry trees of the one variety have been planted in Japan, we can enjoy cherry blossoms blooming all together in early spring.
The cherry blossoms in Wakayama City are usually at their best late March and we can enjoy the pale pink blossoms at various spots.
Here are photos I took at Kimii-dera Buddhist Temple on March 28, 2023.