Celebrating Sakura

The Japanese take great pleasure in celebrating the seasons and SAKURA (cherry blossoms) are emblematic of spring. From the time buds (tsubomi 蕾) first appear to the official pronouncement of blooming (kaika 開花) it is often less than a week. And from there to full-blown flowering (mankai 満開) can be just days. The cycle of savoring sakura ends about a week later with sakura fubuki 桜吹雪, a blizzard of petals scattered about.

SAKURA to set the table

Tabletop accoutrements and accessories help to set the mood while setting the table. One of the simplest ways to achieve this for the Japanese table is by choosing a seasonally appropriate set of hashioki 箸置き chopstick rests. When nature provides cherry blossoms, sakura is the main motif.

Hanami Bentō

Everyone in Japan looks forward to hanami bentō, flower-viewing picnics. Some will purchase elegant boxes at depachika (department store foodhalls) while others will make their own.

CHAWAN 茶碗 Rice bowls and YUNOMI 湯呑 Tea cups

The word chawan is used to describe ceramic and porcelain vessels for serving food and drink. Both rice bowls for ordinary use and bowls for serving matcha can be referred to as chawan.
Yunomi are cups for sipping tea. Both types of tableware are decorated with seasonal motifs and during sakura season they will bloom!

Visit my Kitchen Culture Cooking Club page to find out about Springtime Sweets to celebrate the sakura season. And… Read my March, 2025 newsletter about Celebrating SAKURA.