Sunday, April 04, 2021

Cherry Blossoms at Jardin des Plantes

 

How did Vincent do it? Painting delicate blossoms (almond in Van Gogh’s case) on a thick gnarly branch is not a piece of cake. 

I loved the Spring window decals in Nerides, just across the street on rue Bonaparte from Pierre Hermé.

Then seeing so many photos on Instagram. Thanks to @thereal-emilyinParis giving me daily updates on petals discoloring and falling, I finally made it to Jardin des Plantes on Thursday.

Watch this 4 minute video on Japanese wood block prints celebrating the Spring tradition of ‘Sakura’. 

Sakura’s significance in Japan is due to its evanescent beauty, which resonates with the Buddhist ethos of life’s illusory nature. The cherry tree blooms en masse during the spring, and its blossoms die within a week of their flowering, making their beauty both intense and short-lived. 

It is during this time that friends and family gather to take part in hanami, or “flower viewing,” by traveling to districts populated by cherry trees

Bear insisted on coming.

And on getting a selfie like the others. 

In 1912, over 3,000 cherry trees were bestowed upon Washington, D.C., by Tokyo in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. 

Cherry trees typically grew in remote mountain areas; 

However, under Shogun Yoshimune (1716–45), cherry trees were planted in cities as a means of urban beautification and of demonstrating the government’s benevolence. 

This was my first time ‘Flower Viewing’ at Jardin des Plantes just a short walk away from my house. I asked my landlord if he had been and he said “Oh yes of course.” Interesting how Asian cultural traditions have enriched and become embedded in so many other cultures.  I wish you all a lovely blooming day dear PBers 🌸🌸🌸🐻

19 comments:

  1. How nice that you & Bear live so close by Jardin des Plantes. Beautiful at any time of the year, stunning in the spring. Your cherry blossom watercolor is lovely...tres Japonais. It feels as if we need spring’s beauty more than ever this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do more please! I just love this post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bear Fan11:28 PM

    Bear’s selfie is hilarious! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like that before!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sybille11:30 PM

    Beautiful post, Carol..thank you!
    Made my day.
    Bises

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Sybille,I thought this would be a quick easy post but there was so much more historical background I was unaware of. So interesting how universal the love of flower viewing is!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your blossom watercolor is just beautiful!
    Bises

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely! I think you have found a new joy. You watercolor of the cherry blossoms is delicate and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Dear Vincent..♥Sakura Blossom tea is so pretty:)Fun outings compared to winter..on its way here this blossom time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I miss living in the DC area! I love your painting at the beginning. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks Kay
    It is a special experience...very rejuvenating
    🌸🌸🌸

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kathrine10:42 AM

    I love this visit to the flowering cherry trees. When living in Washington I remember it as a time of great excitement. Thank you for the tribute to Asian cultures and their many contributions to the world.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It sounds like a fabulous excursion. Who can get enough of those blooms!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cherry blossoms are so special and your watercolor is beautiful, captures their delicacy. Glad Bear got out again & love his selfie. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Julie P4:39 PM

    Gorgeous pics of cherry blossoms, and history I didn't know....our grandson participates eagerly in hanami each spring.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think Anyone anywhere who goes to look at the blossoms is doing ‘hanami’

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fantastic post! Love your watercolor of the blossoms and those Japanese prints!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your watercolours are truly inspiring - how I wish I could paint water colours. I don't know where to start, but I'm considering finding out!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I adore and look forward to your charming blog which always delights and informs my artistic soul in the most delicate way.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:53 AM

    Please, please do consider doing more single letters...

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing from you