The Japanese love
for cherry blossoms (sakura) is famous. I, a Tokyo resident, am no exception.
Every year, I never tire of seeing the tiny flowers in bloom. I actually get
such a kick out of it. I dare say it is an essential rhythmic element of my
life.
Usually, it
happens accompanied by a gradual buildup and culmination of expectations. First
you notice that the winter air is loosing up. The temperature is rising. The
atmosphere is getting softer. You feel that you want to take your coat off.
Then out of the blue the idea comes to you, that maybe the cherry blossoms are
ready to bloom sometime soon.
This gradual
transition to cherry-readiness is, I think, an essential process in the psychological
change of season. The Japanese has been repeating the process for so many
years, that it is an integral part of the national character now.
This year it was all
different. It happened so quickly. There was a spell of very cold days, and
then suddenly the temperature shot up. It felt that it was early summer. Then
the cherry blossoms started to bloom without warning. At least that was how it
appeared to this writer. Then, without the gradual buildup of expectations, he
blossoms were in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms
without the preceding buildup of heart is something new. Maybe it is the
reality of an era marked by global warming. Perhaps it is just a result of
statistical fluctuation.
The face of spring
is different this time. The Mother Nature never stops surprising us, even in
her calm moods. My heart is a little jittery this year, due to her abrupt dance
with the spirits of the cherry fairies.
