Masahiro Hamashita

Why Be Aesthetic? Some Comments on the Japanese Attitudes to Cherry Blossoms

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Abstract

Japanese people's attitude to cherry blossoms (SAKURA) may be unique. Throughout history they have tried breeding, transplanting it from mountain to home garden. Many artworks have shown deep affection for SAKURA in particular by Tanka poems. One of the most representative must be SAIGYO. Interpretation of his poems and observation of SAKURA will reveal that SAKURA signifies the paradigm of human life and death, and that aesthetic attitude of SAKURA loving leads to ethics for community.

Keywords

  • Aesthetic Attitude of Japanese People
  • SAKURA(Cherry Blossoms)-Viewing
  • Parallel between SAKURA and Human Life
  • SAIGYO (1118-1190)
  • Ethics for Community

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