Last Saturday, I got to walk among the cherry blossoms. Over ten magnificent cherry trees stand in the Quad at the University of Washington. The color of the buds matched those of the trees I saw in Japan, in what nows seems an eternity ago. The buds on the trees closer to my house are darker, and have mostly fallen. I imagine that most of the trees on the Quad have dropped their pedals by now, too. Beauty, like life, is fleeting. Which is why I carry a camera. :-)
As you can see, I wasn't the only one enjoying the beautiful weather--and the cherry blossoms. Though there were few hanamatsuris (cherry-viewing parties), there were lots of people taking photos of the blossoms, mostly from Asia or of Asian descent.
Even the trunks were budding.
I just missed the cherry blossoms in Tokyo last April. It was grey, autumnal, drizzly. Ofcourse I wielded my camera to the full but maybe one misses out on the precious transcience of magic moments (pictures seem more for the folks at home) if one is frantically clicking away. Word pictures are so much deeper and help to preserve the moment.
ReplyDelete"That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang."...Sonnet 73
Well, when it's Shakespeare, I would agree. And yes, one can miss the "precious transcience of magical moments" if one takes too many photos.
ReplyDeleteI would argue, though, that photos aren't just for people back home. They help me, along with my diary entries, to remember those days that I spent in such wonderful surroundings. When I write in my diary, when I take a photo, I am trying to capture the beauty of the moment. Those men and women who release beauty into the world, however, are to be even more revered.
How long were you in Tokyo for? What did you see there? Did you have a guide? Can you speak Japanese, or did you get by with English?
Only four days of a crowded agenda, so saw thigs while on the move walking on foot towards the hotel (Keio Plaza, I think). A bus trip to Kanagawa near Yokohama, The Fuji Art Museum, the Min On Concert Association, Hachioji. My Japanese is upto Arigato Gozaimasu. Intraction was through interpreters. But it was an unforgettable four days though I didn't get to see much from the tourism view-point. There seemed a tinge of silver in everything-the sky, the buildings.
ReplyDeleteOftentimes I wish I carried a camera everywhere, there are so many beautiful moments in life I feel the need to capture! Except I think my skills in that area are rather poor.
ReplyDeleteI love cherry blossoms, they are so beautiful!