Culture

The wonderful weather that resulted in this year’s cherry blossom appearing a good two weeks earlier than usual, sadly upped and left the minute said blooms hit their much publicised weekend peak. Truly rotten timing that left picnic spots awash with rain rather than revellers, with none but the hardiest of hanami goers opting to sit down, drink and deal with the elements.

But between the cold and rain there was a brief spell on Monday when the sun shone, the temperature was turned up a notch or two, and all seemed well with the world. A welcome respite that allowed for this lovely moment, before the rain swept in again and unceremoniously washed it all away.

Cherry blossom season is understandably a big deal in Japan. The weather is warmer. The flowers are beautiful. And the booze flows like there’s no tomorrow. Or at the very least a tomorrow that doesn’t involve getting up early or doing anything particularly taxing.

But at the same time, it’s such a big deal that one must go out and celebrate it. And one must have a good time. No matter how difficult, or how bad an idea, that may be.

Japan’s economic outlook is far from rosy. Plus certainties of the past such as a job for life are long gone. But on graduation day at least, it’s a time for former students to embrace such uncertainty, and hope that the future will be just as colourful as their ceremonial hakama.

This year’s cherry blossom season may well have arrived almost freakishly early, but the couples, colours and contrasts remain an almost comforting constant.

Asakusa it certainly is. And a real geisha she most certainly isn’t. But what’s similarly certain is that the sight of her is still very striking.