As of this writing (Friday, 25 March), Japanese authorities in Fukushima prefecture are calling for a partial evacuation of the area due to possible leaks in the core of the nuclear reactor..
After being hit by a tsunami and an earthquake two weeks ago, eastern Japan is reeling from the large loss of life (over 20,000), the physical destruction of its coastline (Miyagi prefecture - Sendai) and radiation from a now unsecured nuclear plant (Fukushima).
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In the aftermath of devastation, however, an amazing phenomenon occurs - regeneration. And the color of Japanese regeneration has always been pink. Since the Heian era (794-1185), Japanese have been gathering under cherry blossoms to drink sake and eat delicious Japanese food in an appreciative picnic-style viewing called hanami.
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What do cherry blossoms signify for Japanese? Beyond love and springtime, cherry blossoms or sakura represents mono no awara - "being sensitive to the transitory or impermanent nature of things." It is this delicate understanding of life as a beautiful wonder that can steel souls to endure hardship for the chance of one more moment of unexpected and undeserved joy.
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Although Fukushima is now a scene of tragedy, its cherry blossoms will bloom and again signal both the fragility of life and the coming regeneration of the area and the Japanese people.
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As cherry blossom festivals around the world are dedicating their events to Japan as a gesture of solidarity this year, more people will hopefully consider travelling to Japan in the future either to witness sakura first hand or to simply visit its spectacular cities and rice fields as a further measure of support.
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One thing is for sure: pink always makes a comeback.
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(Photo: Click to enlarge. Cherry blossom trees in Fukushima)
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J Roquen