Nature and Religion in Japan: Sakura and Impermanence

Picture from April 7, 2020. Location: near my house in Saitama

Sakura or cherry blossoms are an annual event in Japan. With hanami as a large event in the spring, anywhere with a cherry blossom tree and an area below to sit is a potential location for a gathering. What is the appeal of these blossoms? They bloom every year, and most people living in Japan have seen them at least once in their lives.

The importance of cherry blossoms can be attributed to something cultural: the focus on impermanence or mujō. Mono no aware can be translated to "the pathos of things"; it refers to the awareness of impermanence. Originally, the phrase comes from the Heian Period but became more widespread during the Edo Period. 

Cherry blossoms only bloom for about a week, making them a short-lived beauty. They are not something considered especially beautiful due to their appearance, though they are certainly beautiful. Their beauty is held in their impermanence and their depiction of mono no aware. 

Most people enjoying cherry blossoms are not fully aware of the history behind the concept: mujō comes from Buddhism, the idea that nothing last forever and all is subject to change. Said simply, understanding this is a step towards enlightenment.

Today, though most people are not aware of this and actively considering impermanence, life, and death, the reality is that most people in Japan, through their attraction to the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms, are collectively engaging in the enjoyment and appreciation of the impermanent. This originally religious (or philosophical) concept is simply a part of Japanese culture today. This can be seen in a myriad of concepts, whether it be the Confucian influence that has resulted in senpai and kohai or the idea of social harmony.

 

Ultimately, cherry blossoms are just one prominent example of religion having a lasting effect on Japanese society and culture. Considering the focus on nature in Shinto, it is understandable that cherry blossoms are the most apparent and perhaps most popular example of impermanence and its value and beauty. 

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