My diary: Why Japanese people like cherry blossoms?

Excellent !  Nice picture also

A few weeks ago we had  cherry blossoms in out backyard.  It reminded me of Japan - I want to visit this year

My diary: Why Japanese people like cherry blossoms?

Their beauty remind us how beautiful life can be, and the importance of every moment that we experience; since they bloom for a very short period, they are often linked to the fragility of human life.

This season also coincides with the turning point of the lives of many people. For example, in Japan graduation ceremonies happen at the end of March and the new school year starts in April, and Japanese companies start their new business year. Thus, the cherry blossoms make people think of new beginnings. Even people who are not experiencing any changes in their lives,  remember when they  lived through such turning points, when they took an entrance exam, got a job, or went partying with friends. They appreciate that they owe what they are to what they were and this motivates them  to accomplish new goals. 

To conclude,  to watch the cherry blossoms is to celebrate our new beginnings after looking back at our decisions. The cherry blossoms endure much, from the sweltering Japanese summer heat to its bitter winter cold, and then they bloom for only a short time in the spring. Hence, Japanese people often compare the ups and downs of their lives with those of the cherry blossoms. The beautiful cherry blossoms may symbolize our happiness or success, and seeing them encourage us to keep going along the path that we have chosen 

The following is a picture of cherry blossoms along the Meguro River. How beautiful they are!

My Diary: Why Japanese People Like Cherry Blossoms?

The cherry blossoms have started blooming in Tokyo! I had to work some overtime and finally got off at 10:00 pm. On my way home, I then saw many people who were relaxing under the cherry trees as they enjoyed eating and drinking with friends or co-workers. Since it was a Monday, and the temperature outside was nice, I had initially just thought that those were the reasons why they were there.*

Upon reflection, I realized the reason behind so many people being outside. First of all, it is undeniable that the blossoms truly are beautiful. The cherry trees survive through the summer heat and the winter cold in Japan, but then bloom for just a brief period in the spring. Since they only exist for a very short period, they have often been linked to the fragility of human life. They remind us how short, but beautiful, life can be, as well as the importance of cherishing each moment that we experience. Thus, many Japanese people compare the ups and downs of their respective lives with that of the cherry blossoms.

Furthermore, within my society, many people have reached a turning point of their lives at this time as Japan holds graduation ceremonies at the end of March, and the new school year starts in April. Japanese companies also mark the start of their new business years now. Thus, seeing cherry blossoms causes people to think both of new beginnings and past events. Even if people don’t have any significant changes in their lives, they would still surely recall an important memory, such as taking an entrance exam, getting a job, or parting with friends.

They would then appreciate that who they are now, is a result of the choices they made before, and thus, would be motivated to do the things now that will help them in the future. In conclusion, I feel that observing this tradition of celebrating the appearance of cherry blossoming is a way to honor our present life while looking back at the life we have lived. Viewed in this manner, cherry blossoms certainly symbolize our happiness and success, and seeing them encourages us to continue doing the things that we believe in.

Hi Nana. Whatever changes that I’ve made were done merely to allow your sentences to sound more natural to my native ears. Apologies if I misinterpreted. I hope that this helps you. J.

*Blue Monday is the third Monday in January, so I did not understand your use of it here.