Winter sakura

For many, sakura is associated with the end of March: soft pink clouds of flowering trees and parks filled with people. But in fact, the Japanese Spring begins much earlier and looks very different.

The Kawazu variety opens in February. Its flowers are brighter, and flowering itself lasts much longer. At this time, there is no usual fuss around, and spring feels calmer. It's a different pace - with no expectation of an "official peak" and no crowds that usually accompany the cherry season.

In Japanese culture, sakura is not just a decorative tree. It is associated with the ancient myth of Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of flowering trees and one of the ancestors of the imperial lineage. Through this image, sakura has become a symbol of the transience of life: beauty is valued precisely because it is short-lived. For centuries, flowering trees have inspired poets, artists and craftsmen, from Heian aristocracy to modern culture.

Many people know only one species - Somei Yoshino, which appeared in the XIX century and became the main symbol of the cherry season. Its short flowering has become a major tourist event. However, sakura in Japan is much more diverse: there are many ancient and bred varieties, and each of them blooms in its own time.

This photo album is dedicated to early cherry blossoms - the one that opens spring quietly and gradually. There is less fuss and more space to just stop and feel the moment.

Sometimes spring comes sooner than we expect.