Usage
Dictionary
Kanji: 桜
Hiragana: さくら、おう
Katakana: サクラ、オウ
Pronunciation: Sakura, Oh, Ou, O
Meaning: Cherry blossoms, Cherry tree
Compounds
- 桜花 (ohka, Ouka, Ohka) cherry blossoms
- 観桜 (kanoh, kanou, kano) cherry blossom viewing; cherry blossom viewing party
- 桜桃 (ohtoh, outou, oto) (edible) cherry
Kun
- 桜色 (sakurairo) cherry blossom color
- 桜餅 (sakuramochi) rice cake with bean paste wrapped in a preserved cherry leaf
- 桜湯 (sakurayu) Hot water to drink with salted cherry blossoms.
- 桜肉 (sakuraniku) horse meat (because the meat has similar color with cherry blossoms)
- 桜吹雪 (sakura-fubuki) blizzard of falling cherry blossoms；Cherry petals fall like snowflakes.
Column
Cherry Blossoms and Ghosts: Between Spring’s Beauty and Mystery
Spring in Japan is a beautiful season when cherry blossoms (sakura) are in full bloom. These blossoms are short-lived, and their fleeting beauty touches people’s hearts. However, cherry blossoms also have a mysterious aspect. Stories linking sakura and ghosts have been passed down through generations. Let’s explore the connection between cherry blossoms and ghosts.
The Ephemeral Nature of Cherry Blossoms and the Presence of Ghosts
The sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom is breathtaking, yet their beauty is short-lived. The Japanese appreciate this fleeting beauty, feeling a deep emotional connection as the petals fall. This fusion of transience and beauty is also linked to the existence of ghosts. Ghosts are said to exist between the realms of the living and the dead, embodying an ephemeral and mysterious nature. Legends of ghosts appearing under cherry trees may have emerged from this shared imagery of transience and beauty.
Legends of Cherry Blossoms and Ghosts
Numerous legends in Japan involve ghosts and cherry trees. One of the most famous is the tale of the “Ghost Cherry Tree” (Yūrei Zakura). According to this legend, the ghost of a woman appears under a particular cherry tree. This woman is said to have met a tragic end at that location, and her spirit became entwined with the tree. On nights when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, her ghost is said to appear, blending in with the flowers.
The Connection Between Cherry Blossoms and Ghosts
The connection between cherry blossoms and ghosts is not just limited to legends and stories. The sense of otherworldliness and mystery that people feel during hanami (cherry blossom viewing) can evoke the presence of ghosts. Especially when enjoying yozakura (nighttime cherry blossom viewing), the contrast between the dark night and the delicate petals creates a fantastical atmosphere, making it easy to imagine ghosts appearing among the blooms.
Sakaguchi Ango’s “In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom”: A Summary
Sakaguchi Ango’s short story, “In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom,” is a haunting and tragic tale set against the backdrop of the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom. The story begins with a bandit who encounters a stunningly beautiful woman in a forest filled with cherry trees in full bloom. Mesmerized by her beauty, the bandit takes her as his wife. However, her beauty conceals a terrifying secret.
As time passes, the woman makes increasingly bizarre and horrifying demands on the bandit. She compels him to kill numerous people and bring their severed heads to her as offerings. The bandit, utterly enthralled by her, complies with her every command. It is eventually revealed that the woman is a demon, and the bandit has been under her spell.
The story reaches its climax when the bandit, overwhelmed by the horror of his actions and the realization of his wife’s true nature, decides to kill her. In a final, desperate act, he slays the demon and then takes his own life, bringing the story to a tragic end.
Sakaguchi Ango’s tale juxtaposes the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms with the lurking horror beneath, exploring themes of enchantment, madness, and the darkness that can lie beneath surface beauty.
Conclusion
The relationship between cherry blossoms and ghosts is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and aesthetics. The fleeting beauty of sakura and the presence of ghosts continue to leave a profound impression on the Japanese psyche. As you enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms this season, take a moment to reflect on the mysterious stories behind them.
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