Sakura 桜
Sakura (桜) － Cherry tree. Sakura-bana (桜花) － Cherry blossoms. Haru (春) ー Spring. Haru-bana (春花) ー Spring flowers/blossoms.
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The snapshots below (as the one above) were taken earlier this morning, 27 March 2010 . . . within a 5 minute walk of my house in Birmingham, Alabama. This is the first post the almost year that this site has been up that is not rooted in Japan, India or China. Well, in a way it is “rooted” in Japan, as the cherry trees in my neighborhood (of the Edohigan variety) and the “Japanese Tulip” blossoms (Magnolia X soulangeana ) are, well, of Japan. Please enjoy the color riot below, as well as the few black and white photos at the end.
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And the beautiful tune — “Hana” (flower/blossom) — performed by Masaaki Kishibe. May I suggest clicking the “Play” button, letting him start the song-proper, then looking back through the snapshots above. . . .
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Listening to “Hana” while I stroll through the flowers is quite a nice experience. Thank you. The sound of Masaaki Kishibe’s guitar is really something.
There’s another “Hana” (actually, several more) song that I’ve tried to find via YouTube,
but have had no luck so far. It’s a more “Western-sounding” tune, often performed by
Japanese bluegrass bands. It’s also one of those tunes that virtually all Japanese
children learn to play on the recorder in 1st or 2nd grade, similar to “Mary Had a Little
Lamb” or “Home on the Range,” (at least used to be) for American kids. Anyway, the
search goes on. I’m happy you like Kishibe-san’s “Hana,” it really is mesmerizing and beautiful.
Beautiful photos, Rick. I really miss springtime in Birmingham.
Thanks. It’s been a pretty day today. Tomorrow: thunderstorms are predicted. My front porch and Evelyn Waugh call…