Overview
The Sakura 桜, or Japanese cherry blossom tree, stands as a captivating and tangible embodiment of Japan’s identity, playing a pivotal role in Japanese culture. Although unable to produce fruit, the Sakura can be distinguished by their beautiful colors of pink and white and for their short life span of about 1-2 weeks. In our exploration of “Japanese Art and Architecture,” we grappled with the central inquiry: “What defines Japan-ness?” To address this question, my initial investigation delved into Sakura and Hanami—depiction and symbolism in Japanese culture—unveiling itself through my midterm project. However, recognizing the expansive nature of my chosen topic, I utilized the constructive feedback from both my professor and peers. Consequently, I chose to narrow my topic, focusing my project on Sakura and its profound role as a symbol of alliance and diplomacy in Japanese history and tradition.
Foundation: Significance behind the Sakura in Japanese culture
Over centuries, the Sakura, a timeless symbol of Japan, has evolved to embody various meanings and connect with different elements of society. Notably, it became intertwined with the idea of life and death seen through the Samurai class during the period from 1185 to 1868, characterized by the Bushido code—a set of principles emphasizing honor, loyalty, courage, and duty. Within the Samurai class, the Japanese Sakura assumed profound symbolism in the context of life and death. The brevity of the Sakura’s bloom, lasting 1-2 weeks, resonated deeply with the Samurai, prompting a reflection on the swift nature of existence. This association became a reminder for the warriors to accept their mortality and confront the swiftness of death (refer to Figure 1). The Samurai class, captivated by the Sakura’s ephemeral beauty and its symbolic representation of life and death, contributed to the foundation of Hanami—a Japanese tradition centered around cherry blossom viewing. Originating during the Heian period (794–1185), Hanami gained prominence as Emperor Saga popularized the practice. These gatherings, featuring sake and food, celebrated the Sakura’s beauty and marked the beginning of a tradition that persisted throughout history, as illustrated in Figure 2. The association of beauty towards the Sakura gained prominence during this time as more people began to enjoy the beauty of the Sakura despite not being an elite member. This can be seen through Figure 3. The enduring association between the Sakura, life, death, and beauty has become deeply ingrained in Japanese culture. This symbolism has transformed the Sakura into a tangible expression of Japanese identity, eventually utilized by the Japanese government in cultural diplomacy, sharing this cultural emblem with other nations as a means of fostering understanding and connection across borders.
Cultural Diplomacy
According to UNESCO, Cultural Diplomacy involves the exchange of cultural ideas, information, art, language and other aspects of culture among nations and people in order to foster mutual understanding. The Sakura tree has played a crucial role in tangible Cultural Diplomacy, utilizing Japan’s cultural heritage to establish connections and foster international understanding. By sharing this symbol deeply rooted in Japanese culture, Japan aimed to create bonds with various countries, encouraging mutual appreciation and understanding. The first occurrence of Sakura being employed in this context dates back to 1912 when Tokyo’s mayor, Yukio Ozaki, presented 2,000 Sakura trees to the United States government to strengthen the growing friendship between the two nations (refer to Figure 3). Despite a setback a year earlier, when 3,000 Sakura trees had to be burned due to a pest infestation, Ozaki, unaware of the issue, sent an additional 2,000 trees to Washington DC to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to their alliance. These trees were planted by the United States government along the Tidal Basin. Years later in 1973, Japan again, gifted the Sakura to China following the Japan-China Joint Communiqué. The Japan-China Joint Communiqué was a significant point in Japan’s history as it normalized the diplomatic ties between Japan and the People Republic of China as the rightful government of the entire nation. The Sakura were planted in the Yuyuantan Park in Beijing and have become a tourist attraction for China. This act of giving the Sakura was a diplomatic symbolic gesture of friendship and alliance between the nations, transcending historical tensions and creating a foundation to allow for shared cultural heritage through the Sakura. Following the same pattern as the previous occurrences, Japan, recognizing the diplomatic significance of the sakura, gave 9,000 Sakura to Germany in 1990. It is important to note that In 1990, Japanese television station TV-Asahi launched a fundraising campaign to collect donations for the purpose of sending Cherry Blossom trees to Germany, symbolizing joy for the reunification of East and West Germany. The campaign successfully gathered funds, resulting in the collection and dispatch of 9,000 Sakura trees to Germany. These Sakura were strategically planted along the “death strip,” a zone parallel to the former Berlin Wall that once embodied the stark division between East and West Berlin (refer to Figure 4). Originally symbolizing the ideological and political separation during the Cold War, the Berlin Wall’s construction in 1961 and subsequent fall in 1989 marked the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. The site’s transformation into a significant symbol of peace and national rebirth is evident with the introduction of the Sakura, turning what was once a representation of division and heartbreak into a place of unity and renewal.
Conclusion- Japan-ness?
This exploration of the Sakura’s role in Japanese culture and diplomacy contributes to a nuanced understanding of “Japan-ness” by revealing how a single symbol, deeply rooted in historical traditions and shared cultural experiences, transcends national borders. The Sakura, embodying themes of life, death, and beauty, becomes a tangible expression of Japan’s identity, and its strategic use in diplomatic gestures underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering international connections through the dissemination of its cultural heritage. This highlights how “Japan-ness” extends beyond geographical and temporal boundaries, finding resonance in the enduring symbolism of the Sakura and its transformative impact on global perceptions of Japan.
Textual Sources
Both ‘Japanese flowering Cherries-A 100 Year-Long Love Affair’, by Athony S. Aiello and “The Ornamental Value of Cherry Blossom Trees”, by David Fairchind give a comprehensive analysis of the Sakura that played a significant role during this research. I chose ‘Japanese flowering Cherries-A100 Year-Long Love Affair’, by Athony S. Aiello because it provided a detailed historical background of Sakura and its connection to America(ns). The Academic text published by Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, provided a context for my foundation in regards to modern research done on the Sakura, having been gifted and planted in Washington DC, along the Tidal Basin. In regards to “The Ornamental Value of Cherry Blossom Trees”, by David Fairchind, I chose this academic text because Fairchind argues that the Cherry blossom tree is not a “formal tree” should be read in a way that’s different than the royal palm allée of Rio or the Canarium allée of Java but in a new context, one in which Americans would learn to appreciate. I found this to be a very interesting text as it focuses on the beauty of the Cherry Blossom tree towards the American Populous. I use this academic text in my research as evidence for the statement that the use of the Sakura as cultural diplomacy towards the American government established a shared cultural appreciation and understanding. In essence, Aiello and Fairchild’s comprehensive analyses, particularly Aiello’s historical depth and Fairchind’s focus on the beauty of Cherry Blossom trees and its role in cultivating a shared appreciation and understanding between Japan and the American government.
Visual Imagery
Figure 1
Title: Young Samurai Viewing Cherry Blossoms as a Mitate of Prince Kaoru
Creator: Suzuki Harunobu
Date: c. 1767
Size: 11 1/8 × 8 1/4 in. (28.2 × 20.9 cm) (image, sheet, vertical chūban)
Nationality: Japanese
Source Credit: Minneapolis Institute of Art Collection
Description:‘Young Samurai Viewing Cherry Blossoms as a Mitate of Prince Kaoru’ sheds light onto the research question because it provides context as to how different classes of people(specifically Samurai) viewed the Sakura and how it symbolized Life and Death. The Samurai depicted in the artwork is gazing his eyes towards the cherry blossom tree. This youthful Samurai is Prince Kaoru, who is regretting his decision upon arranging the marriage between his true love, Nakanokimi, with his friend Prince Nious. With his position as a Samurai and the shame of his decision, the view of the Sakura could be seen as a way to reflect life and death and how time passes by.
Figure 2
Title: Cherry Blossoms Party- Chiyoda Ooku Ohanami
Creator: Suzuki Harunobu
Date: Toyohara Chikanobu
Size: H x W; 39 x 26 cm (15 3/8 x 10 1/4 in)
Source Credit: Ukiyo-e.org
Description:‘Cherry Blossoms Party- Chiyoda Ooku Ohanami’ sheds light onto the research question because it provides a visual depiction of the celebration of Hanmi further justifying how the Sakura continued to play a crucial role in Japanese identity. I chose this image inorder to establish a foundation for understanding of the significance of the Sakura as a tool of Cultural Diplomacy, particularly considering the history of the tradition that is associated with this iconic symbol. This depiction also allows the audience to immerse themselves in the scene, enabling them to envision the celebration—an essential aspect, as it suggests the intentional desire of the artists to create a beautiful experience for the viewer.
Figure 3
Title: Yayoi Asukayama hanemi(Third Lunar Month, Blossom viewing at Asuka Hill)
Creator: Kitao Shigemasa
Date: c. 1772-1776
Size: 1 print : woodcut, color ; 21.5 x 15.4 cm
Nationality: Japanese
Source Credit: Library of Congress
Description: ‘Yayoi Asukayama hanemi(Third Lunar Month, Blossom viewing at Asuka Hill)’ sheds light onto the research question because it provides us with another symbolism for the Sakura, beauty, which builds on why the Sakura contributed to being used for Cultural diplomacy. In this artwork, we see three women sitting down picnicking under the Sakura, which are in full bloom with their delicate pink and white color. This shows the association of beauty and delicacy that both the Sakura and women share in this artwork.
Figure 4
Title: Gift of the Kruglak family in memory of Amy and Ted Kruglak
Creator: Kawase Hasui
Date: c. 1935
Size: H x W; 39 x 26 cm (15 3/8 x 10 1/4 in)
Nationality: Japanese
Source Credit: National Museum of Asian Art
Description:’Gift of the Kruglak family in memory of Amy and Ted Kruglak’ shed light onto the research question as it clearly demonstrates the intertwined cultural symbols, portraying a deliberate fusion of Japanese sakura and American commemoration. This print portrays the Sakura planted around the tidal basin in Washington D.C. The absence of human presence foregrounds the iconic Washington Monument, prompting a visual dialogue on the deliberate juxtaposition. This composition, perhaps demonstrates a falsehood in reality, engaging the viewers in a symbolic exploration. The print encapsulates the essence of Japanese identity against the backdrop of a significant American landmark.
Figure 5
Title: The Fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin Germany, November 1989, from the series; Moments of the Human Condition
Creator: Peter Turnley
Date: 1989
Size: Approx. 13.5 x 20
Nationality: German
Source Credit: Artstor
Description: While there are limited images and artworks capturing Sakura amidst the Death Strip, ‘The Fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin Germany, November 1989, from the series; Moments of the Human Condition’ plays a crucial role in my research. The use of photo journalism here offers a visual portrayal of the prevailing division and the desire for reunification a year before the actual collapse of the Berlin Wall. I chose this image to spotlight a pivotal moment that foreshadows a historic event in Germany. This enhances the significance of sending Sakura to that region, adding a profound impact to the overall narrative.
Bibliography
Aiello, Anthony S. “Japanese Flowering Cherries—A 100-Year-Long Love Affair.” Arnoldia, vol. 69, no. 4, 2012, pp. 2–14. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42955528. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
Buchanan, Daniel C. “Washington’s Cherry Blossoms.” The Far Eastern Quarterly, vol. 10, no. 1, 1950, pp. 68–68. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2049654. Accessed 27 Oct. 2023.
Chikanobu, Toyohara. Cherry Blossoms Party-Chiyoda Ooku Ohanami. 1894, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fairchild, David. “The Ornamental Value of Cherry Blossom Trees.” Art and Progress, vol. 2, no. 8, 1911, pp. 225–26. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20560401. Accessed 27 Oct. 2023.
Harunobu, Suzuki. Young Samurai Viewing Cherry Blossoms as a Mitate of Prince Kaoru. 1767, Minneapolis institute of Art Collection
Hasui, Kawase. Gift of the Kruglak family in memory of Amy and Ted Kruglak. 1935, National Museum of Asian Art
Kidder, J. Edward (Jonathan Edward). The art of Japan / J. Edward Kidder, Jr Century London 1985
Kitao, Shigemasa, Artist. Yayoi Asukayama Hanami. Japan, None. [Between 1772 and 1776] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2008660831/.
Oertel, Sam. “History of Cherry Blossom Trees in Washington DC.” Arlington National Cemetery Tours, 8 July 2021, www.arlingtontours.com/dc-cherry-blossom-history.
Peter Turnley, American, b. 1955. 1989. The Fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, November 1989, from the series: Moments of the Human Condition. Photograph. Place: Lehigh University Art Galleries, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA. For more information, contact us at LUAG@Lehigh.edu. https://library.artstor.org/asset/24691832.
“Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship Sakura: Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Cultural History.” Library of Congress, 20 Feb. 2010,
Shigemasa, Kitao. Asukayama hanemi(Third Lunar Month, Blossom viewing at Asuka Hill. 1772-1776“The Cherry-Blossom Season in Japan.” Bulletin of Popular Information (Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University), vol. 2, no. 4, 1928, pp. 13–14. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42961745. Accessed 27 Oct. 2023.
UNESCO, “Cutting Edge: From Standing out to Reaching out: Cultural Diplomacy for Sustainable Development.” UNESCO.Org, www.unesco.org
