Each year, the cherry blossom season comes and goes—brief, breathtaking, and deeply symbolic. Even now, with petals long fallen and branches slowly shifting toward summer green, the spirit of sakura lingers in our hearts. At Nagoya International School, as we move through the rhythm of the school year, we’re reminded of how much the fleeting beauty of the delicate pink flowers mirrors our own seasons of change, growth, and transition.
A Cultural Love Rooted in Meaning
In Japan, cherry blossoms are more than just flowers—they are a cultural treasure, a spiritual metaphor, and a reminder of life’s impermanence. Their beauty is impossible to ignore: tight buds that burst into cottony pink blooms against still-bare branches, heralding the end of winter and the beginning of spring. But it’s their short-lived presence that captivates the soul.
For centuries, the Japanese have associated sakura with mono no aware—a gentle melancholy for the impermanence of things. The blossoms arrive in a sudden flush, last just a short while, and fall gracefully to the ground, never overstaying their welcome. In this, many find a quiet wisdom: that nothing lasts forever, and there is beauty in both the bloom and the letting go.
Beginnings, Endings—and Everything In Between
At NIS, cherry blossom season aligns with a significant chapter of our school year. It’s a time when Gr. 12 students are making final preparations for graduation and prepping for the start of IB exams. Gr. 5 students are finalizing their PYP presentations, marking the last hurdle of their elementary school years and demonstrating an extraordinary amount of knowledge and growth over the year. Students are putting the final touches on arts projects in preparation for various Art Nights and the opportunity to display a year’s worth of creative transformation. And sadly, it it is a time when some of our NIS family - staff and families - start to prepare to leave Nakashidami in transition to next chapters. It’s a season of both celebration and reflection, much like the blossoms themselves. For some, it’s the end of their journey at NIS, while for others, it’s the beginning of something new.
Much like the “Cherry Blossom Front” that sweeps from the south to the north of Japan, bringing blooms to each region in turn, the school year moves steadily forward. The blossoms don’t wait—they bloom, and we move with them.
Where the Spirit Dwells
Historically, the cherry blossom was more than a seasonal decoration. It was a divine signal. The word “sakura” is said to derive from “kura,” the seat of the “sa” deity—the god of the mountains and fields. As legend has it, the god would descend to dwell in the cherry trees, swelling the buds and prompting the bloom. In agrarian Japan, this was a sacred sign that the planting season had arrived.
Even today, when we gather under the trees during a planned hanami party, or just during recess, we’re participating in something ancient—a moment to pause, to appreciate, to connect with nature, each other, and perhaps even the divine. This simple act of gathering, watching, and reflecting brings a deep sense of belonging that resonates with our school community.
Carrying the Spirit of the Season Forward
Although the petals have fallen and the season has passed, the lessons of the cherry blossoms remain. At NIS, we embrace the fullness of this metaphor as we walk alongside our students—through beginnings and endings, through challenges and milestones, and every fleeting, beautiful moment in between.
Spring has delivered its wisdom once again: to notice, to appreciate, and to embrace the changes that come with each new season of life.
As we look ahead to the final weeks of our school year, may we continue to carry this spirit with us—grateful for the beauty of now, and ready for what blooms next.
