When I woke up the next morning, I was extremely cold. We were a hundred meters above sea level, half way up Hieizan Mountain, and I was so excited to explore the terrain that the cold didn’t bother me at all. I was eager to see the mountain and all it offered, and to swim in the Biwa Lake, nestled between the mountains, that was nearby.

I felt the familiar mist of the high mountains surround me, the cool air drifted through my window and I breathed in a gasp, it was reminiscent of the familiar scents of mud and grass, but there was something unfamiliar in the air too, something new yet beautiful. Looking out of the window, a field of pink and green made me draw a breath as it gently waved in the calm breeze. This awe-inspiring sight that surpassed any expectation that I had held about the beauty of nature: It was the cherry blossoms.

That morning was like no other, I usually woke and walked drowsily down the stairs, and followed my parents to the area surrounding the house. Today was different and unique.

I was so lucky to find them during this short-season, a throng of cherry blossoms, I was filled with joy because of this beauty of nature.  After about two-weeks, the season was ending and it wasn’t until then that I discovered that the trunk of the flower tree had its own beauty, it looked like a piece of rock with innate writing carved on it, trying to tell a story of the past, but I could not comprehend. I would advise you to go to Japan in Spring in order to see it for yourself.

The cherry blossom is most beautiful when it blends in with the Japanese culture. At the lake side, the blossoms looked like a necklace embraced around a piece of jade; on the mountain, the flowers were the pieces of petite wreaths; in the temples, the pink blossoms looked like the guardians of peace standing there for eternity. After days and days, the petals danced off its branches in slow motion covering the ground as a velvet carpet.  I dared not step on it, as they were too fragile to touch, too elegant to disturb, the sight was truly magnificent.

Cherry blossoms represent the spirit of Japan. When the flowers bloom, lots of tourists from all around the globe go to Japan to study this famous spectacle. The cherry blossom is also strongly known for its taste, people use its petals and leaves as a flavoring. In Japan there is cherry blossom ice cream, cola, sticky rice cake, and soda drinks. The most famous song in Japan is Sakura, which means cherry blossom. The song has an easy tune and is very enchanting. Different designers also have put cherry blossoms on stationary accessories, handbags and clothes, even the famous streetwear brand BAPE has made a cherry blossom T-shirt. 

In a Japanese person's mind, a cherry blossom is respected for its instant beauty and perfection. Samurais had a strong belief: that a person can search for the perfect cherry blossom for their whole life and never find it and it would not be a wasted life. Of course, the perfect blossom is everywhere, for they are all perfect. As the mirage of cherry blossoms become clearer, the profound meanings they are conveying to me are sometimes presented in front of me, but sometimes it is as vague as a shadow which I cannot grasp at all.

A burst of vibrant colors