Spring is finally here! Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and also signifies the blooming of the cherry trees! Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a symbol of the spring time in Japanese culture. Cherry blossoms symbolize renewal and a fresh start. The Japanese fiscal and school year begins in April, the season of sakura, to celebrate and welcome a brand-new start.

On Japan's southern, subtropical islands of Okinawa, cherry blossoms open as early as January, while on the northern island of Hokkaido, the flowering can be as late as May. In most major cities in between, such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place in early April.

During this season in Japan, people like to have cherry blossom parties with colleagues, friends, and family. A cherry blossom makes people merry. They enjoy eating, drinking, and barbecuing underneath the cherry blossoms. This custom is called hanami. Hanami literally means “watching blossoms,” and the tradition can be traced back at least a thousand years. People will bring cooked meals, alcohol, snacks, and sweets, like a potluck party. Schools and offices hold welcome parties during hanami, a chance for people to bond and meet new friends.

Even at night time, the cherry blossom viewing spots are crowded with couples enjoying the blossoms in a romantic atmosphere. Hanami at night is called yozakura.

Cherry trees have spread throughout the world to other Asian country, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, Spain British, Australia, and beyond. We’re lucky to have thousands of cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

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On March 31st, the name for the upcoming era in Japan was announced. Reiwa (Or Leiwa...apparently that's up for debate as well). Getting it's name from Manyoshu, the oldest collection of Japanese poetry, roughly translates to "beautiful harmony", but is not a direct translation. 

Gengou, or the name of the era, it's length defined by the ruling of each Emperor. Up until April 30, 2019, was Heisei, ruled by Emperor Akihito, before that Showa, which went until 1989 under Emperor Hirohito.  In 2016, Emperor Akihito announced his request to step down, creating a wave of commotion in Japan, since traditionally, an Emperor is an Emperor until his death. However, a ruling was decided for an exception to be made to let Emperor Hirohito step down, and for the Crown Prince Naruhito to take the throne, officially changing the gengou from Heisei to Reiwa. 

Being Japanese or living in Japan, you're acquainted to the gengou.  You're often asked "What year in Showa were you born?"  or "This brings an end to the Heisei Year 30 (Heisei 30-Nen) school year." A tradition that's deep-rooted in Imperial Japan, even with the  Imperial Family holding no power, per say, anymore, the tradition of gengou has continued to this day. 

Japan celebrated the start of Reiwa a little earlier than us. And boy, did it come with celebration. There were countdowns around the country, products such a Coke bottles, cakes, and keychains were being sold with Reiwa printed on them,  and overall was a marketing opportunity for companies, as well as, an excuse for citizens to bask in the joyous mood.  The transition from Showa to Heisei back in 1989, when Showa Tenno (Emperor Hirohito) passed, came with a less celebratory mood, as the country mourned the loss of an emperor. The beginning of Heisei came with sudden anxiousness riddled with the relief of the end of  an era that was painted with war. 

Many Japanese citizens have an identity attached to the gengou they were born in.  While it's "just a year" any other day, parting with something you've gotten used to has become a bittersweet thing for many Heisei born folks. It's almost how Americans are proud to be a "90s baby", attributing an era of culture and history to when they were born.