Every spring for over a thousand years, the Japanese have held a celebration of the Sakura trees, otherwise known as cherry blossoms. Their vibrant arrival corresponds with the calendar year in Japan, marking the start of new beginnings and bringing a sense of hope to all lucky enough to bear witness. While beautiful, the fleeting nature of the Sakura is a gentle reminder of our own morality. The Hanami festival is an opportunity to reflect and realize that, like the cherry blossoms, our life can be ended in an instant.
Going to a Cherry Blossom Viewing Party, From the collection of: Dallas Museum of Art
This painting represents a hopeful young woman to me. She seems excited, yet slightly apprehensive which is similar to the way I feel when beginning a new journey, whether in school or a new job.
Spring Drizzle, Kawai Gyokudo, 1942, From the collection of: Adachi Museum of Art
The fog and bright colors makes this painting seem mysterious in my eyes. The artist conveys a sense of magic, as though you're in a fairy tail. I chose this artwork because of the whimsical state it brings to the viewers mind.
A Bird on Cherry Blossom, Lee Jung-seob, 1916/1956, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
The Hanami Festival is a celebration of life and of death. The pink flowers falling from the tree represent how quickly life can be over, no matter how unfair it may seem. Life is represented here by the bird, while the falling flowers is meant to show that death is near. The blue background is calming, as though it is saying not to be afraid of death.
Kumoi-Zakura (Kumoi Cherry Trees), Hiroshi Yoshida, 1920, From the collection of: The Toledo Museum of Art
The beauty represented by this painting is astounding. In Japan, cherry blossoms were considered to be symbolic of the Samurai because the Samurai had to be willing to die in the prime of their lives. Cherry blossoms bloomed, or came alive, in a spectacular fashion before quickly perishing. This painting is evidence that perhaps that is way life should to be lived.
Hanging a Poem on a Cherry Tree, Ishikawa Toyonobu, Japan, Edo period -1868 -1615, From the collection of: University of Michigan Museum of Art
This piece represents hope to me. During this time period, upper class women were typically only allowed to enjoy the outdoors during the Hanami Festival. The woman pictured is hanging a poem on the cherry blossom, with the hope that another will read it. She is most likely the daughter of a samurai, who may no longer be alive. Her poem could be her way of saying goodbye to her father or possibly a note meant to tell others who've lost family that everything will be okay.
Cherry Blossoms at Gotenyama, c. 1829–1833, From the collection of: Dallas Museum of Art
The blues intermixed with the pinkish colors convey calmness and happiness to me. The two friends sitting together beneath the trees reminds me of my summers in Galveston. Even though life may be chaotic, in this moment represented here, everything is okay with the world.
Beauty under Cherry Blossoms, Hosoda Eishi, Japan, Edo period (1615-1868), From the collection of: University of Michigan Museum of Art
I chose the painting because of the freedom the women pictured here represent. During the Edo Period, typically women were only allowed to enjoy the outdoors during the Hanami Festival. Like them, I feel the crushing foot of life onto of me during the majority of the year. I long to have the freedom these women have.
Cherry Blossoms at Night (“Flower” scroll of the « Snow-Moon-Flower » triptych), Yokoyama Taikan, 1952, From the collection of: Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
This painting represents death to me. The darker shades and pink flowers are symbolic of a glorious end. Like the samurai, the cherry blossom has lived a short, but honorable life. It reminds me to strive for greatness, no matter how brief a period I may be here for.
Credits: All media
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