Flowering branches are one of the early blooms that promises spring isn’t far off. One particular flowering tree has a deep history that’s crossed oceans and has inspired artists, warriors, and activists alike! In this episode we’ll charter back to explore a flower that contains multitudes.
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
Nothing quite says spring like the blooming branches you see lining your town’s streets or what might wind up in a floral arrangement. To use flowers as a way to communicate or express ourselves is often associated with the Victorian-era language of flowers. This cultural norm was actually an iteration of a Japanese tradition that goes back centuries.
To explore how both the Victorians and Japanese placed meaning onto flowers, follow these links:
5 Minute History. The Language of Flowers - The Secret Victorian Love Code
WORDS, FLOWERS, & ART
Like a conversation among old friends, artists and writers have carried on a dialogue with the natural world to capture a time, a ritual, or a feeling. The Japanese printmaker, painter, and poet Kitao Shigemasa, masterfully capture the cherry blossoms, or Sakura, and the Hanami tradition of viewing the flowering trees through a woodblock print and a haiku poem—all in one piece!
Check out Shigemasa’s print and learn more about his own cultural imprint on art and language:
Library of Congress. Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship
One of the surprises of learning about the cherry blossoms were the many connections to the written word—poetry, in particular—that there are. Below, you’ll find some of the poems I stumbled upon while researching:
The Hanami tradition—and our collective admiration for the cherry blossom—has made its way to Europe, the UK, and the US. In fact, one of Washington DC’s most noteworthy attractions are the pink flowering canopies that line the Tidal Basin and flank the Jefferson memorial.
But did you know about the long, challenging journey the trees took to reach the capital city? Or the women who worked through history to help protect and preserve the trees?
Dive into the history of the cherry trees that traveled across folkloric and literal oceans, and the women who helped guide them through their odyssey:
Gathered: Storied Botanicals is a monthly podcast. New episodes are released on the third Friday of the month, so tune in to wherever you like to listen. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please consider rating the show on Apple Podcasts and leaving a review. It’s the best way to get the word out.
You can also follow along with other WORDS, FLOWERS, and ART projects through this website and @gathered_storiedbotanicals on Instagram if you’d like more flowers in your life.
I hope you’ll tune in next time. Thank you for listening!
