Indicator Tree Audio Recording

Transcript

Transcript

In Tokyo Japan, the cherry tress located at the yasakoni shrine, a memorial commemorating Japan’s war dead, are used the meteorological agency to make an official prediction. Unlike here, the agency completes with other sources for the prediction of the mankai, or full bloom. It is important for the agency to get the date of the mankai correct and they do this by carefully watching the staged blossoms for the opening of the first blossoms. The agency watches the blossom-front as it moves from the southern island of Okinawa as early as January to the Northern Island of Hokaido as late as May. In the Middle Portion of the country, the trees usually bloom between late March and Early April. During the nightly news, the cherry blossom forecast is often given after the weather report. The pressure for the agency to correctly predict a date for the mankai is important because of the blossoms cultural significance. The blossoms have inspired many poets, philosophers, and artists. During World War II many of the Japanese kamikaze pilots painted cherry blossoms on the side because they symbolize the beauty and ephemerality of nature. The souls of the pilots were believed to be reincarnated in the soft pink petals of the cherry blossoms. Even today, many military, police and civic organizations throughout Japan use the cherry blossom as a symbol on their flags and other isngia. Sukura, meaning cherry blossom, continues to be one of the most popular names for Japanese girls. Many businesses and Japanese people plan their viewing parties around the mankai. People compete for the best spots in parks, temples, and shrines in order to bask in the glory of the blossoms with friends and family.

Description

This tree is called the indicator tree because it blooms about a week earlier than most of the cherry trees;thus, it is an indicator that the peak blooming period is soon to occur.

Duration

2 minutes, 28 seconds

Credit

NPS

Date Created

03/28/2015

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