There’s a flip of phrase in Japanese, 現実に引き戻される (genjitsu ni hikimodosareru), which implies “to be pulled again to actuality.” I discover it’s an apt strategy to describe the post-cherry blossoms crash.
After two weeks of 花見 (hanami, flower-viewing) and all of the accompanying socializing, ingesting and enjoyable underneath the spring solar, all of the sudden, it’s over: 現実に引き戻されちゃった (genjitsu ni hikimodosarechatta, it’s completely again to actuality).
The 桜 (sakura, cherry blossoms) are stunning however temporary, and it’s this brevity that makes them such a distinguished image in a tradition that appreciates もののあわれ (mono no conscious, the fantastic thing about impermanence). Magnificence, life, pleasure — all of it fades to nothing finally.
