Tamanawa-zakura (Prunus x yedoensis 'Tamanawa-zakura') : Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

No matter how I try to describe the ephemeral beauty of flowers in words, the result must be empty. In the same way as the impermanence of our living world, like just a momentary illusion, any flower blooms and then disappears in an instant.

The flowers of Tamanawa-zakura bloom about a month earlier than common Somei-yoshino-zakura flowers and have a long flowering period, which comforts the hearts of those who eagerly await the brilliant blossoms of the spring during the gloomy winter days.

Their petals are darker pink than those of Somei-yoshino-zakura flowers of spring and become a slightly darker pink as the flowering progresses before falling. 

This tranquil tone of the color enhances the virtue of modesty of the Tamanawa-zakura flowers which quietly keep blooming in the cold winter before the arrival of the true springtime.