Stunning Cherry Blossoms of 2014

So distinctive and ingrained is sakura (櫻), or cherry blossom, to Japan, their ephemeral beauty have become a lesson in aesthetics and philosophy.

 When the conditions are right, the trees erupt in vibrant and fragrant blossoms across the country. There is even a remarkably precise sakura calendar to track and predict when.

photo credits: 紅襪熊

photo credits: Masato Mukoyama

photo credits: tomosang

photo credits: Noisy Paradise

photo credits: Yuga Kurita

photo credits: Hikaruno Mikoto

photo credits: poojartiwari

photo credits: Haru Digital Photo

Japanese Cherry Blossoms Shot in Long Exposure at Night by Arixxx

Japanese photographer Arixxx has created this chillingly beautiful long exposure shots of Japanese cherry blossoms at night.

Snow on Cherry Blossoms in Nagano

A recent snowfall in Nagano Prefecture gave photographers a the rare opportunity to capture the play between these symbols of winter and spring. Here photos from Twitter users:​

inu_tsugura ​

ruirui8181

ao_356

 

via Spoon & Tamago