To those who know about Japan

[karohemd]

When you read about Japan, they say you should go during cherry blossom season because it's so beautiful and from what I've seen on TV and photos, it indeed is.

However, I wouldn't associate Japan with the actual fruit. Are cherry trees simply decorative?

Comments

[dreamsewing.livejournal.com]

blossoms only, never saw any fruit. Not just about samurai though, but life itself, Japanese version version of "gather rosebuds while ye may". Life is beautiful, but transient and you must stop and appreciate it. Despite strong buddhist influences, Shinto-ism is still stronger in day to day life and this reflects it. EVERYTHING stops for Cherry blossoms, it was funny to see hoards of businessmen come pouring out of buildings when the first strong winds blow the blossoms, grey birds in pink storm.
Once it begins, work is cancelled and everyone goes to the parks to just sit,eat, spend time with family. Despite perceived work ethic, I have never lived in any other country which consecrates so much time to relaxing and enjoying the stages in life.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

This made me smile, thanks!

If they only have blossoms but no fruit, how are they propagated?

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

They can't just not fruit, that's the point of the flowers. They must just have really small fruit, or somebody comes along and picks it before anybody sees.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm thinking.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Both of the small cherry trees in my garden are ornamental - they seem to have miniature fruit, but it gets eaten - although watching a fat pigeon try to work out how to get to the fruit of a not-especially-sturdy weeping cherry can be amusing - like watching a sumo on a tightrope.

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Who needs TV when you have PIGEON GLADIATORS in your own garden?

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

[giggle]