桜坂 – Sakura Hill by 福山雅治・Fukuyama Masaharu

Sakura Zaka

As the title gives away, this beautiful song plays also on the theme of Sakura (cherry blossoms). The time when Japan is plunged into a sea of white and pink flowers, is maybe one of the most romantic, on the other hand it may also be a time of longing and heartbreaks. Fukuyama Masaharu’s (福山雅治) Sakura Zaka or Sakura Hill tells such a story.

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On the move

 On the move March 19, 2015 chris.b A picture taken in the vicinity of Nagoya Castle, Aichi Prefecture. The bike abandoned in the front, a photographer taking aim in the shade of the cherry trees in the background. All this on a sunny day. One of my personal favorites.
A picture taken in the vicinity of Nagoya Castle, Aichi Prefecture. The bike abandoned in the front, a photographer taking aim in the shade of the cherry trees in the background. All this on a sunny day. One of my personal favorites.

As the warm winds blow in to lift the veil of dullness that winter imposed on everything, the newly inhaled life invigorates humans and nature alike. A feeling of encouragement and zest holds sway, things are on the move. In Japan this sentiment is emphasized by the fact that spring often marks the end and the beginning of terms. Students graduate or change schools (卒業; そつぎょう and 転校; てんこう respectively), businesses welcome new employees or rotate roles (incl. 転勤 tenkin, job relocation within the firm to other prefectures or even countries), others search for new housing (引っ越し; ひっこし). Thus, the period may be considered as a time of transitions to the unfamiliar, but also goodbyes to established habits.

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