Sakura – Japanese ornamental cherry (cherry). This is sort of the symbol of Japan. It can be found everywhere in Japan: in the mountainous regions, along river banks, and temple parks. The cherry blossom festival is one of the oldest rituals of the Japanese.
In the Heian period (794-1185гг.) the Japanese aristocracy, sharpens finesse and refinement of manners, spent hours under the flowering trees, while enjoying soft drinks, arcade games and folding on the occasion of the verses.

There are about 16 species and about 400 varieties of this tree. Trees of different shapes and sizes. The cherry blossoms are very short — it lasts only a few days, and sometimes only a few hours.
Sakura is a cherry, which blossoms and fruits. This type of sex with protection... it turns out the Fruit is and they are called in Japanese, Sakura-no-mi. They are smaller than regular cherries and not very tasty – sour and hard (he tried in Hibiya Park). In food they are sometimes used in pickled form (like the Japanese plum UME) as a food additive for rice and from make cherry wine. Here they are — inconspicuous fruit blossoms:

Another word — sakurambo – deceptive. It is not the fruit blossoms, and is the commercial name of fruit cherry ordinary, imported from abroad, but cultivated in Japan. Well, export cherries are called cherry.

In Japan believe that someone who does not perceive the beauty of Nature, you can't trust anything, because he "heart of stone". It just so happened that every year the Japanese have certain customs and rituals. Special famous khans – admiring flowers.

The character Hana means "flower", mi – to look, to admire. Literally "Hanami" means admiring the flowers. In the perception of the Japanese word "Hana" goes beyond the particular narrow concept. It is the best time, the pride, the color of something, and one of the diverse complex words — "kanbayashi" (shining, brilliant), "hanagata" (theatrical star), "Hanauma" (the bride), "hanamuke" (groom).

Begins the procession of colors beautiful mind (Japanese plum, resembling a cherry plum). The first Hanami occurs in late February – early March in Shizuoka (Atami, Yugawara). You can watch the flowering of the mind in other areas, but it is Hanami in the famous Yugawara or Odawara (Kanagawa Prefecture). After the mind rises, the favorite Japanese flower – Sakura
Most foreigners Hanami is associated with Sakura, because she represents Japan. Besides, the second meaning of the character "Khan" – "cherry blossoms", so the concept of "Hanami" to date, primarily began to treat Sakura admiring. The cherry blossom festival is one of the oldest rites of the Japanese, and Hanami, Sakura is devoted, is most interesting, and in this event-the festival involved about 90 % of the population.

The Japanese begin to prepare for this event in advance. Employees of firms are planning a special day to observe Hanami, they go to work, but this day outdoors surrounded by colleagues, drink sake – Japanese rice vodka, eat obento – uncomplicated food in the box onigiri rice balls, rice sweets — mochi, sandwiches, fried chicken pieces. They sing the music "karaoke", admiring the beautiful flowers that when the wind blows be a real rain of petals, and the beautiful scenery surrounding them.

The cherry blossoms are very short, and this phenomenon represents for the Japanese, the transience of this world. Pink and white miracle lasts only a few days, and sometimes only a few hours...