Japanology Plus: Season 2014, Episode 5

2014 - 5: Cherry Trees

Springtime in Japan means cherry trees in bloom. Cherry blossoms flower gloriously, but briefly, then their petals fall like confetti on the spring breeze. This yearly occurrence strikes a deep chord in the Japanese soul. Our expert guest this time is Toemon Sano, who goes by the title of "protector of the cherry blossoms", and whose family owns and maintains a forest with over 150 varieties of cherry tree.