Cherry blossoms, or Sakura, come from ornamental cherry trees that can be found all over Japan. They bloom at the start of spring, and branches that were barren during the winter are suddenly filled with a glorious array of pink and white blossoms.
Not only is sakura the national flower of Japan, the cherry blossoms also take on added spiritual meaning in the context of Buddhist themes of mortality, mindfulness, and living in the present moment.
"Japanese cherry blossoms are a timeless metaphor for human existence," said Hayashi. "Blooming season is powerful, glorious and intoxicating, but tragically short-lived — a visual reminder that our lives, too, are fleeting."
