桜sakura
Quick definition:Sakura is the Japanese word for the cherry tree and its blossoms, which flower briefly each spring and are one of the most recognisable symbols of Japan and a seasonal image in anime.
Meaning
Sakura, or cherry blossoms, are the pale pink flowers of the cherry tree, which bloom for a short time every spring. In Japan the blossoms mark the end of winter and the start of the new school and work year, and people gather beneath the trees to enjoy them. The name is also used for a woman's given name.
In anime and manga, falling petals are a common sign of spring, new beginnings and gentle emotion. A school entrance ceremony beneath blossoming trees or a farewell as petals drift past can be used to mark a turning point. The short bloom is also linked with the idea that beautiful things do not last, a feeling often expressed in Japanese art.
Sakura also appears in names, foods and designs. Sweet snacks, drinks and seasonal products often use cherry blossom flavours and pink packaging, and many series feature characters named Sakura. Fans use the word for the flowers, the season and a general sense of fleeting beauty.
Origin:Sakura is an old Japanese word for the cherry tree and its flowers, written with a single character that was borrowed from Chinese. The exact origin of the word is uncertain. Cherry blossom viewing has been a cherished custom in Japan for centuries, and anime fans around the world learned the word through its frequent appearance in series.
Example:A new school year begins with a long avenue of cherry trees in full bloom, petals falling around students in crisp uniforms as they walk to the entrance ceremony. A nervous first-year pauses beneath a tree, then meets a classmate who will become a close friend.
Did you know?Weather services in Japan publish a cherry blossom forecast each year, tracking when buds will open in each region. The wave of flowering moves from the warm south of the country towards the north, and people plan trips and picnics around the predicted dates.
