Mono no Aware

How many, many things
They bring to mind ...
Cherry Blossoms!
– Basho

The ahh-ness of things ... Sakura season is upon us. This is a brief period of time, usually lasting no more than one week, when the Japanese take a break from their fast paced lives to get out and view the blossoms. Mono no Aware is an expression used to describe the cherry blossoms and translates as "a sensitivity of the transience of things and a bittersweet sadness at their passing," aware is an expression of measured surprise, like "ah" or "oh." These ephemeral beauties are like snowmen and fireworks lasting only long enough to make us hoping for just a little more time to enjoy them. Already the petals are starting to fall, it hasn't even been a full week since they opened. But these delicate beauties are susceptible to the elements and after a day of gale force winds and another with pounding rain it looks like the cycle will begin again ... the waiting until next years blossoms arrive. I was lucky enough to take advantage of one of the few pretty days here during cherry blossom season, grabbed my camera and headed to Kamakura hoping to take my place among the Japanese and take pictures of the blossoms. When I arrived home and uploaded my photos, I couldn't help but let out a little "ahhh!" when this one came up on my screen. Mono no aware. Inspiring.