Details
Description
Cherry blossom - iconic symbol of Japan, representing the beauty and transience of life.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of tree (木) and surround (嬰). Represents petals surrounding the tree. The old form 櫻 contains 嬰 with two shells, suggesting flowers strung together like a necklace.
Symbolism
Spring, transience, Japanese beauty. Cherry blossom symbolizes Japanese culture and the fleeting beauty of life. Praised as 'of flowers, the cherry,' its graceful scattering is linked to bushido spirit.
Spiritual Meaning
In Shinto, cherry trees are considered dwelling places for rice field deities. 'Sakura' may derive from 'Sa (deity) no Kura (seat).'
Related Culture & Scenes
- Hanami (花見) — Traditional spring event of picnicking under cherry blossoms
- School ceremonies (入学式・卒業式) — April entrance ceremonies coincide with cherry blossom season
- 100-yen coin (100円硬貨) — Cherry blossoms depicted on the surface
Seasonal
Spring seasonal word. Blooms from late March to early April, symbolizing spring in Japan.
Component Breakdown
Tree + simplified top + woman
Words & Expressions
Words written with 桜
Four-Character Compounds
桜花爛漫
おうからんまん
cherry blossoms in full bloom; Cherry blossoms in magnificent full bloom
Proverbs & Idioms
花は桜木、人は武士
はなはさくらぎ、ひとはぶし
Of flowers, cherry blossom; of men, samurai
The ideal of beauty and noble death
桜切る馬鹿、梅切らぬ馬鹿
さくらきるばか、うめきらぬばか
Fools cut cherry, fools don't cut plum
Different things require different approaches
Poetry
願わくは花の下にて春死なん その如月の望月のころ
If only I could die beneath the cherry blossoms in spring, around the full moon of the second month
いにしへの 奈良の都の 八重桜 けふ九重に にほひぬるかな
The double cherry blossoms of the old capital at Nara are in bloom today within the ninefold palace.
もろともに あはれと思へ 山桜 花よりほかに 知る人もなし
Mountain cherry, feel for me as I feel for you. Here there is no one who knows me but your blossoms.
高砂の をのへの桜 咲きにけり 外山のかすみ 立たずもあらなむ
The cherries on the high slopes of Takasago have bloomed. May the mist on the nearer hills not rise to hide them.
Anime & Manga
カードキャプターさくら
Cardcaptor Sakura
Protagonist named 'Sakura Kinomoto.' Her pure character matches sakura's flower language of 'spiritual beauty.'
NARUTO -ナルト-
Naruto
Main character 'Haruno Sakura.' Born in spring as her name suggests, pink hair evokes cherry blossoms.
秒速5センチメートル
5 Centimeters Per Second
Title refers to the falling speed of cherry blossom petals. Sakura symbolizes fleeting love and the passage of time throughout the film.
WIND BREAKER
WIND BREAKER
Protagonist named 'Sakura Haruka.' Story of a boy aiming to be the strongest fighter who protects the town with his friends.
夜桜さんちの大作戦
Mission: Yozakura Family
Title contains 'sakura' (桜). Action comedy about the strongest spy family, the Yozakura clan.
シキザクラ
Shikizakura
Title means 'Four Seasons Cherry Blossom.' Japanese-style mecha anime with iconic scenes of a shrine maiden dancing among cherry blossoms.
Games
サクラ大戦
Sakura Wars(1996)
Developer: Sega/Red Entertainment
'Sakura' in the title; romance simulation + strategy game themed around Taisho romance and cherry blossoms. Protagonist is Sakura Shinguji.
View on Amazon →大神
Okami(2006)
Developer: Clover Studio
Japanese-style action with dancing cherry blossoms. Sakura represents divine power; 'Cherry Bomb' brush technique brings withered trees to life.
View on Amazon →Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima(2020)
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Features stunning Tsushima landscapes with dancing cherry blossom petals. The Sakai family grave has a cherry tree, appearing in key story moments.
View on Amazon →薄桜鬼 真改
Hakuoki: Shinkai(2020)
Developer: Otomate
Popular otome game with 'sakura' in the title. Set during the Bakumatsu era with the Shinsengumi, featuring beings called 'Hakuoki' (pale cherry blossom demons).
View on Amazon →Related Books
古今和歌集
こきんわかしゅう
Kokin Wakashū
The first imperial anthology of waka poetry from the Heian period. Contains over 70 poems about cherry blossoms, symbolizing the era when sakura replaced plum as the representative flower.
新古今和歌集
しんこきんわかしゅう
Shin Kokin Wakashū
Imperial anthology from early Kamakura period. Pursues aesthetics of mystery and lingering emotion, with 100 cherry blossom poems - the most in any anthology.
山家集
さんかしゅう
Sankashū
Saigyo's personal poetry collection with about 1,500 poems. Especially famous for cherry blossom and moon poems, including 'If only I could die beneath the cherry blossoms.'
Related Figures & Stories
西行
(さいぎょう)The most famous poet for cherry blossom waka. 'If only I could die beneath the cherry blossoms' symbolizes Japanese aesthetic of sakura.
Poet who became a monk after being a warrior. Traveled across Japan composing approximately 2,300 waka. Known for poems about nature, especially cherry blossoms and the moon.
本居宣長
(もとおりのりなが)His poem 'If asked about the heart of Japan, it is the mountain cherry blossom fragrant in the morning sun' established sakura as the symbol of Japanese spirit.
Kokugaku scholar. Known for his commentary on Kojiki, advocated 'mono no aware' as the essence of Japanese spirit.
後桜町天皇
Name contains 桜
Empress Go-Sakuramachi , personal name Toshiko, was the 117th monarch of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions
What does 桜 mean in Japanese?
桜 means cherry blossom, sakura. Cherry blossom - iconic symbol of Japan, representing the beauty and transience of life.
How do you read 桜?
On'yomi: オウ、ヨウ (OU, YOU). Kun'yomi: さくら (sakura).
How many strokes does 桜 have?
桜 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 木 (tree).
Is 桜 a good kanji for a tattoo?
桜 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means cherry blossom, sakura. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:sakura