Hanami

Also pretty in pink are the Cherry Blossoms.

We are the land of the rising sun but we are also affectionately called the land of the blossoming cherry trees. The cherry blossom tree is very sensitive to its environment and temperature. It blossoms in Okinawa in the far south as early as January and in Hokkaido, the far North, by May. Here in the Tokyo area we have it bloom within these weeks. We don't rely on the clock to tell us when spring officially arrives. Instead we rely on the fairy maiden to breathe upon the naked trees and wake them from their winter slumber. This tells us that spring arrives in her splendor. The media keeps us informed with the latest predictions of when she'll open for us and some of us usually have or make time to walk amongst her exquisiteness. I am infused for when I stand within her beauty, I too feel beautiful.
This is a moment to welcome spring but although I am happy to welcome her after a long winter I would like to share the welcome with my love. So here is the afternoon that I walk with admiration of the new season. Even the violets and other growing flowers gaze up in awe at such a sublime and lavish luxuriousness that perfectly frames a deeply rich sapphire sky.

As a child our whole family would be together and picnic beneath such efflorescence and I do miss those days and often relive them in my dreams. Despite the smiles painted across my face inside I feel as if my hands reach for the cold moon and open a box of sorrows. This year I have shared with two work colleagues but still I feel a little lonely. These spring days are much more important than the over-commercialized Valentines Day. Miss 'I miss you' stayed at the ends of the Earth longer than planned as the promotion was extended and from there shes gone straight to her next venue. Does it make sense that I miss her only when she's away? I also wonder is that a profound or obvious statement to your mind. I just think I'd like us to be together during the bloom because this is the time for togetherness with family, friends and lovers. Our restaurant has been decorated out with fake sakura branches and we are fully booked for the next several evenings with tables for two, bouquets and the sweet serenades of soft music.

Many people adore the pink and of course I like pink too, but I feel a lot of innuendo in that claim (Laughs). But the most respected of all the varieties of the sakura is one we call Somei which is white in color with a just a hint of a pink vein growing into the flower and a wonderful fresh yet rich fragrance. Breathe this on a warm afternoon and you will feel so invigorated that it becomes so easy to feel at one with the nature of the Earth.

There are no philosophies or thoughts from me today. Today is just a taste of my feelings which are at odds with each other. I have happiness for the season and of sharing it with a couple of work colleagues adjacent to knowing that someone very special is missing and doesn't share the moment with me. (Sigh!)

For today's musical selection I'd like something visual and of course something to say that spring has arrived. No other band in the world that I can think of at this moment can say it better than Kagrra. I get a spring fever just looking into the eyes of Isshi, the vocalist. After the bleakness and taste of adversity from the snow queen, what's better than spring to give smiles and hope once more? Cool gentle breezes & birds sing to welcome such a glorious respite.
I hope you can all enjoy the music & the new season.

Kagrra - Haru Urara (Beautiful Spring)