2013.03.21
Spring in Kagoshima
Today, the Japanese cherry blossoms in front of my house start to bloom, almost covering the whole trees. In a few days, they will be in full bloom and then the new leaves will sprout. Not only cherry blossoms but also all kinds of flowers of all colors are now blooming everywhere. It is a wonderful sight.
In Japan, cherry blossoms are like a signal which tells everyone that the change or the new beginning is coming. It is the time when children, from kindergarten to university, step up to the next grade. It is the time when government officers, teachers and private companies’ employees change their positions or offices. It is the time when the new graduates start to enter the career world. Everything begins again just like new leaves which sprout after cherry blossoms fall.
Tea is the same. The new tea leaves start to come out. This is a very important time for tea farmers since it is the period before the first tea harvest of the year or what Japanese people call “Shincha” 「新茶」. The price of the first generation of young tea leaves is the highest compared to other generations. Tea farmers will take very good care of tea plants. They will install electric fans to blow cool air at the bottom of the tree plants upwards to prevent dew on top of young leaves from turning into ice which may cause damage to the tea leaves. The farmers will also add nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate the sprouting of new leaves.
Blooming flowers in the springtime in Japan remind me of Chompu Pantip flowers in Thailand which will bloom in February, and also Uang Phueng flowers and Malila flowers which will bloom during Songkran Festival. These flowers are also the indications of seasons. Natural flowers and seasons are so charming and empowering. Try sitting and thinking of the times when flowers bloom. It will give you so much joy.
