I want to write my graduation thesis, cherry blossoms and Japanese culture, and reference materials for Japanese literary works about cherry blossoms. thank you

For the Japanese, cherry blossom is a special flower, which symbolizes "great harmony and heart". The Japanese view of cherry blossoms changes with the changes of the times, society, economy and politics. From the characteristics of cherry blossoms, we can see the nationality of the Japanese. The way cherry blossoms bloom is the beauty of the group, which shows the Japanese collectivism. The decisive withering way of cherry blossoms makes people feel that everything is impermanent. Through cherry blossoms, we can see that the Japanese pay attention to immediate interests and lament the short-lived nationality. In the autumn when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the Japanese have realized the true meaning of life and passed it on from generation to generation. Because of this, they have a soft spot for cherry blossoms and regard them as national flowers.

Sakura is the national flower of Japan.

As early as ancient times, the Japanese regarded cherry blossoms as the embodiment of spring and the god of flowers. In Japanese, "cherry blossom time" (archaic) means "spring season". When spring comes, people are most concerned about the annual blooming of cherry blossoms. How good and bad the bud is, whether it can escape the leaching of spring rain when it blooms, whether it can bloom brilliantly, whether it can meet the spring breeze when it withers, and whether the petals are clean. Whether cherry blossoms bloom smoothly in the eyes of ancient Japanese means whether the weather is good this year and whether the crops are bumper. So whenever bloom is visited, people gather under the cherry trees, sing and drink, praise spring wholeheartedly and pray for the blessing of the gods.

This habit has continued since ancient times. Especially after entering the Edo era, with the rapid development of Japanese economy and the improvement of the living standards of ordinary people, viewing cherry blossoms has become the greatest pleasure from the court to the people. There is a gerund called "Huajian" in Japanese. "Flower room" in a broad sense means "viewing and enjoying flowers". However, as long as the "flower room" is mentioned, people must first think of all kinds of cherry blossom viewing activities held in various parts of Japan in spring. Although "Flower Room" is not a legal festival, it is as lively as any national festival celebration in Japan.

During the cherry blossom season, the royal family and cabinet ministers will hold a grand "cherry blossom viewing party" in the Royal Garden to entertain and commend outstanding people from all walks of life. No matter how busy they are at work, ordinary enterprises and institutions will take half a day off or leave work early, and prepare various drinks and snacks for their employees, so that they can gather under the cherry trees in the nearby park and have a good drink. At this time, Japan, which is usually quiet, will suddenly become lively. No matter in the city or the countryside, all kinds of people are always crowded under the cherry trees, eating, drinking, singing, jumping, crying and laughing. People are together to vent the passion and joy of spring.

It is said that the reason why cherry blossoms have been loved by Japanese people since ancient times is not only to herald the arrival of spring, but also to appreciate its short but gorgeous life and its tranquility and purity at the end of life.

It only takes about 4 days for a cherry tree to bloom from the first flower to the cherry blossom. The first day or two seemed slow, dotted and a little reserved. By the middle of bloom, if the weather is sunny and warm, the branches will bloom overnight. In order to appreciate the "blooming" of cherry blossoms, people will sing and dance under the trees all night.

In some famous cherry blossom viewing resorts, people also decorate cherry blossoms with lanterns, and the "night sakura" interacts with lanterns, which is extremely gorgeous.

The autumn of cherry blossoms is also a unique landscape. Under the swaying of the warm spring breeze, the cherry blossoms full of trees reflect the sun from all angles and fall like butterflies, which makes people dazzled and elated. However, when you visit the cherry blossom garden again after a night, the crown that covered the sun yesterday was so clean that only bare branches and a few fresh green leaves were left. It is clean and carefree, and the petals scattered all over the floor are displayed in front of your eyes, so even and light, emitting a quiet and silver luster. A little sad, a little solemn and stirring, which makes people cry.

These characteristics of cherry blossoms are consistent with the heroic view and life values advocated by Japanese legendary culture. In Japanese legendary culture, compared with "glory at birth", "dignity at death" seems to be more respected by the world and more convincing to the people.

People seem to be more impressed by the failure of loyalty and noble integrity and the unforgettable and moving death. The reason why cherry blossoms can affect the heart and soul of the whole Japanese nation may be its charm here. Regrettably, this national sentiment was once fooled and exploited by a few Japanese war maniacs and militarists. It has not only brought great disasters to the Asian people and world peace, but also made countless Japanese patriotic youths suffer unnecessary sacrifices and made the whole Japanese nation suffer painful lessons and trauma from the war. Cherry blossoms are also lingering because of the "Sakura (Yin) Soul" suspected of war. During the post-war period, they were hacked around Japan. So now many cherry blossom spots in Japan were restored after the war.