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Sakura
Matsuki
by W.Holidays
For over ten centuries,
hundreds of cherry trees have erupted with thousands of pale pink
blooms to announce the arrival of spring in
Japan. The first flowers have single petals that are succeeded by
heavenly double-petaled blossoms. When soft spring breeze blows,
the petals fall like rose-colored snowflakes to the ground.
The festival last for
a month approximately from March 20th though April 20th. Flower viewing
begins as early as 8 AM and continues throughout the day. As the days
progress, people have parties and dress in costumes. The season is
short, but if one follows the path of the sun across Japan, they can
watch the various blooms for about a month.
Japan has over four hundred varieties of cherry trees, although the
Japanese trees do not bear fruit. The cherry blossom, which is the
national flower, may be found in prints, furniture design, and kimonos.
The cherry wood, a deep, dark lustrous wood is used for making all
types of furniture (both practical and decorative). The blossoms are
picked and preserved in salt. They are then used for making the drink
known as akura-yu or cherry water.
modified: April 19. 2008
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