Sakura さくら

 Sakura (さくら）

Sakura,  cherry tree, or cherry blossom.  It is the Japanese National Tree.  It symbolizes peace and friendship.  Yet, even for Japanese, they have to learn this lesson from a courageous woman 150 years ago.

Her name was Shino.  Shino and her husband San-Long lived in a village called Shitsga, on the south bank of Komi river, which is approximately 50 miles southwest of Kyoto.  Across the river, Atsugi Village is on the side.

Sang-Long’s job was to ferry people from Shitsga across the river to Atsugi , and ferry people from Atsugi to Shitsga.  Everyone in both villages knew SanLong.  They love both SanLong and Shino.

One day, Sang-Long no longer ferried people across the river.  He was in uniform; and someone else ferried him across the river.

Japan was at war with Russia.  After brief boot-camp training, Sang-Long was sent to Manchuria to fight against the Russians.

In this war, Japan fought against Russia both at the sea in East China Sea, and at the land in Manchuria.  Japan scored big victories both at the sea and at the land. After the peace treaty was signed, the heroes were sent home.

On the day of soldiers’ returning home, Shitstuga village got wild.  Trumpet blaring, there were fireworks.  Villagers sang patriotic songs, and shouted patriotic slogans.

Suzuki san rushed to his daughter, his son and his wife.  One hand with the daughter, the other hand with his son, with his wife kissing his cheek.  Tanaka san and his wife hugged tightly as if they were just married.  Itasu san was single, but his mom prepared his favorite rice ball and gave it to him.

The crowd was getting thinner, and thinner.  Shino and other women were waiting; Sang-Long did not come home.

A month later, Shino finally got a bad news from the government.  Sang-Long was killed during the campaign at the Manchuria.

Shino was very sad.  To commemorate her husband, she planted a cherry tree in her backyard.  Everyday, she watered the tree and talked to the tree as if she was talking to her deceased husband.

Fifty years quickly passed.  Shitzuka was no longer a sleepy town. There was also a bridge built across the river.  There was a bus line going in front of Shino’s house. There was a bus station next to the cherry tree.

Fifty years after the war with the Russians, Japan was in another war again.  This time was with the Americans.  But unlike the war with the Russians, Japan was losing the war to the Americans.  American decimated the Japanese fleet one-by-one, first with the destroyer, then with the transportation ship, and finally the carriers.

Japan authorities were panicking.  The government ordered a decree to collect all resources to build more ships to fight against the American.  The cherry tree was ordered to be cut down.

On the day of cutting the tree, Shino chained herself to the tree. She said to the soldiers that they have to kill her before cutting the tree.

“My husband was killed in the Manchuria campaign 50 years ago, and I have been a widow since then.  I planted the tree so that I can have communion with my husband.  If you kill the tree, you are killing my soul.”

The soldiers back-off.

Pretty soon after the incident, Americans dropped nuclear bombs first at Hiroshima, and second at Nagasaki.  The Russians also declared war against Japan.  Japan surrendered to the allies on September 6, 1945.

Peace finally came to Japan.  Japanese citizens finally can enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossom .

さくら　さくら

やよいのそらーは

みわたすかぎーり

かすみかくもーか

にわいぞいずーる

いざや　　いざや

みにゆーかん

　

Oh Cherry blossom, beyond the horizon,

Is it fog, or is it cloud?

Come smell the scent, see the color, and listen to the whisper of the cherry blossom.  It is a symbol of peace and friendship.