The sakura (cherry blossoms) are indescribably beautiful when in bloom. Yet, the sudden way the wind blows them off their branches and they fall to the ground in a blizzard of soft pink petals, makes them tragic at the same time. After posting my pictures of my sakura tour, I asked the question to a few people, “Would they still be as beautiful if they lasted more than two weeks?” Would we take them for granted if they did?
Look at how we treat the people we love sometimes. We fall in love with someone, their beauty growing the more we see them. Yet, over time, something happens with some people and they seem to no longer see the beauty in one another. Would that happen with the cherry blossoms if we could still see them in full bloom a month from now?
Perhaps it is fitting that I ask myself these questions as I stroll along the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto.
The Philosopher’s Path is a pleasant walk. It’s a stone path in the northern part of Kyoto’a Higashiyama district. The path follows alongside a canal on both sides, and during the sakura, the path is lined with cherry blossom trees. The path gets the name “Philosopher’s Path” from Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan’s most popular philosophers. He practiced meditation while walking the path on daily walk to Kyoto University.
Crowds of people are now walking the path. Although the cherry blossoms are not in full bloom here today, there are still many trees with full petals, some just sprouting up. In a day or two, the entire canal will be filled with falling pink petals and blankets of trees that will look like soft clouds right above your head.
People stare at me- the man wearing a pink bow tie and gray suit. Perhaps they admire my style, my way of dressing for the occasion. It is Easter Sunday after all.
Finally, a place to sit and watch the crowds go by. A fresh baguette, a bottle of Bordeaux and soft aged cheese from France. With great company, surrounded by beauty, the perfect way to hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Kyoto.
For one week, I fulfilled a dream and toured Japan to see the sakura in bloom. I’ll be posting highlights from my journal on this blog throughout the next few weeks along with posts from my current travel locations. Here is one.
Cherry blossom trees in bloom line the Philosopher's Path.
A reflection of the sakura along the Philosopher's Path.
Let me know what you think about the pictures from the Philosopher’s Path and please share this post with a “like” or a share on Facebook, Twitter and Share-holic. Thank you for visiting!
