Story in pictures: Japan's gift to the world, the beautiful cherry blossoms

“How many, many things they call to mind, these cherry blossoms!,” penned Matsuo Basho, the most renowned Japanese poet of the Edo period. The Haiku maestro couldn’t have encapsulated the inexplicable attraction of the Sakura (cherry blossoms) better; for it invokes in one a sense of romanticism, and infuses optimism in the most pessimistic of hearts. The seductive charms of the Sakura lure sinners and saints, friends and foes, believers and cynics alike; none is immune.

Unfortunately, the natural phenomenon - often alluded to in Japanese folklore and pop culture - that was enjoyed by more than 63 million people in 2019, will only be seen by a few this year. The spread of an unrelenting pandemic has put the world in quarantine, effectively slashing many a traveller’s dreams to watch the Sakura bloom.

One of the lucky tourists who managed to catch a glimpse of the blossoms was Prasanth Mohan, Architect and Architectural Photographer and the founder of Running Studios, South India, who took a trip of a lifetime with his friends to Japan last year.

Helping TAL put together a photo feature on Japan, the photographer spoke about the motivation behind the trip, his experiences there and why the island nation should be on every tourist’s bucket list. “As a photographer, it has been a persistent dream of mine to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season! It is a spectacle rarely seen anywhere else. When I landed in Japan and saw the blossoms, I scrambled to get my camera to capture their mesmerising beauty. But, no picture can ever do justice to their magnificence,” he says.

“Its vivacious colour coupled with a short life span symbolises not just spring, but also revitalisation and the ephemeral nature of life. The Japanese have a term, Hanami, which translates to watching blossoms. Between late January and mid-April, the Japanese get together with their loved ones and hold picnics in the parks to enjoy the Sakura before it fades away.”

Blossoms aside, Japan as a whole impressed Mohan immensely. “It is truly a well-developed, technologically advanced country. Everything is meticulously conducted, and punctuality is ingrained in the social fabric. Trains are always on time, and if delayed by mere seconds, authorities personally apologise to the travellers for the inconvenience caused! I have never experienced such fastidious functioning of a society anywhere else.”

Mohan also managed to squeeze in a serendipitous journey to Hiroshima. “It was not on our initial itinerary, but I am so glad we visited it! That place is a symbol of human ingenuity and capability. To see a city ravaged by the first-ever atomic bomb rebuild itself into a modern, bustling hub is nothing short of a miracle. It was truly humbling.”

Bust of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Renko-Ji.

He adds, “Finally, as Indians, we had to see Renko-Ji, a Buddhist temple that is believed to carry the ashes of one of India’s famous freedom fighters, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Unfortunately, the temple opens only once a year, on August 18, Netaji’s supposed death anniversary. Nevertheless, just visiting the temple, and seeing his statue was a moving experience for all of us.”

Japan’s relentless adherence to their heritage, despite their rapid modernisation, also fascinated Mohan. “Japan can be used as a guiding light for many Asian countries. Of course, it has its share of issues. Still, many nations will do well to emulate some of Japan’s features like ensuring modern innovations don’t eclipse the rich tapestry of a nation’s history, inventing and incorporating sophisticated technology for the betterment of the society, and encouraging general good behaviour. It was a trip that exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more,” says the photographer.

Cherry blossoms, modern architecture, and rich heritage – Mohan’s pictures give us a glimpse into the beauty that is Japan.