CHERRY BLOSSOM

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 256, 21 June 1932, Page 3

CHERRY BLOSSOM

SPIRITUAL IDEAL OF FLOWER IN LIFE OF JAPANESE PEOPLE IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR. It is difficult at first for a foreigner to realise the intense importance of

the cherry blossom in the Japanese scheme of life; for it can truly be said that this beautiful fiower is more charged with the joy and awe of infinite things for them than the most potent spiritual ideal is for us, writes a Tokio correspondent to the Morning Post (London). - When, several years ago, I first arrived in Japan, it was the month of March; and scarcely a Japanese greeted me but told me with beaming face, that I should soon be able to see the cherry blossom, as if that alone would be reward enough for my coming so great a journey. It is the cherry blossom that furnishes them with their most beautiful decorative schemes and poetic imagery; even politics are touched by its all-pervading influence. One of those who met me on myarrival was a member of the Government that fell a few weeks later. ' Writing to me on the event, my friend concluded his letter with the words, "It was like the quick passing of the cherry flowers." Sunday Morning Gift. There was little sign of any cherry blossom when I reached the northern city where my duties were. The mantle of snow still lay white and intact over the surrounding mountain ranges, whilst thq uneven streets of the city were deep and black with its dissolution. Yet "cherry blossom" was the note of every greeting and the theme of every conversation. • "I drew a little closer to the wood stove and rather questione'd their confidence. But I was not allowed to be sceptical. Early one Sunday morning came a gentle voice at our door. We opened it, to he greeted by a slender spray of shining pink and whitness, through which peeped the smiling face of our neighbour's daughter. She had got up at dawn and now brought with her the welcome proof that the cherry blossom had kept faith. Period of Merrymaking. It was the first tome I had seen the cherry blossom in Japan, and when it came thus, lceeping faith even to the stranger within its gates, I did, indeed, as the young girl had so confidently ioretold, feel very happy. The week or ten days following was one long merrymaking for everybody in this district. Not that ordinary business was suspended, but it was carried on as of secondary importance to the joyful obligation of "viewing the cherry blossom." Certain shrines and parks, notahle for their fine display of cherry trees, were visited each evening hy merry parties. Minstrels wandered here and there, looking spectral amidst the dust that arose from many roysterous feet, twanging their samisen and chanting in weird nasal voices catehes from ancient songs; whilst the nearby restaurants were ablazc with light and noisy with mirth.