From IFL Science, 30 March 2021
One of Japan’s most celebrated natural spectacles has reached a grim milestone this year, arriving at its earliest date in more than 1,200 years. The early blooming—while undoubtedly still a sight to behold–comes as a fragrant reminder that climate change is forever tweaking the globe’s natural behaviors, from extreme winter storms to summers that could last half the year.
Cherry blossoms in cities such as Kyoto in Japan have long represented more than just a change in the season. For centuries, residents have recognized the trees’ annual blossoming with its own custom called hanami. The ancient tradition translates to “flower viewing” but is specific to cherry blossom, and people will gather beneath the trees to reflect on the beauty of nature and celebrate life.
The festivities carry global appeal and in a normal year, tourists from all over the world would flock to see the spectacle. Now, however, arriving in time for the annual blossom might be hard to predict, as it was officially announced the 2021 cherry blossom began on March 26th. This unseasonably early date stands out as the earliest in 1,200 years, which can be corroborated thanks to a wealthy archive of cherry blossom festival documents dating back as far as 812 CE.
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