#hanami (renewal and observation)

[the-environmentalists-issue]

Blossoms of Change

In the tapestry of Japan's natural landscape, the blooming of cherry blossoms stands as a masterpiece—a fleeting yet awe-inspiring spectacle that has enchanted generations with its delicate beauty and profound symbolism. Each spring, as the cherry trees burst into a symphony of pink and white blossoms, they signal the arrival of a new season, a time of renewal and hope. Yet, in recent years, this cherished tradition has been disrupted by a disconcerting trend: the early arrival of cherry blossoms, a phenomenon that serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impacts of climate change on our planet.

Traditionally, the timing of cherry blossom blooming has been a reliable indicator of the changing seasons in Japan, with peak bloom typically occurring in late March or early April. However, in recent decades, observers have noted a noticeable shift in this seasonal pattern, with cherry blossoms appearing earlier and earlier each year. Some trees now bloom as early as February, a phenomenon that scientists attribute to rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns associated with climate change.

The implications of this early blooming are manifold and extend beyond the realm of aesthetics. At its core, the timing of cherry blossom blooming is intricately linked to a delicate balance of ecological interactions that have evolved over millennia. For instance, the blooming of cherry blossoms coincides with the emergence of pollinators such as bees and butterflies, ensuring the cross-pollination of flowers and the propagation of plant species. However, the early arrival of cherry blossoms disrupts this synchronicity, creating mismatches between the timing of flowering plants and their pollinators, which can have cascading effects on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Furthermore, the early blooming of cherry blossoms has profound cultural and societal implications, disrupting longstanding traditions and rituals deeply rooted in the seasonal rhythms of nature. Hanami, the centuries-old Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms, is a cherished cultural heritage that brings communities together to celebrate the fleeting beauty of spring. However, as cherry blossoms bloom earlier and peak bloom becomes increasingly unpredictable, the tradition of hanami faces challenges, risking the loss of a cherished cultural practice that has been passed down through generations.

To better understand the implications of early blooming cherry blossoms, scientists have conducted numerous studies examining the relationship between climate change and phenological shifts in flowering plants. These studies have documented a clear trend of earlier blooming in response to rising temperatures, with some research indicating that the rate of advancement in flowering times has accelerated in recent years. Additionally, researchers have observed changes in the distribution and abundance of pollinators in response to shifting bloom times, highlighting the interconnected nature of ecological systems and the importance of preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change.

Addressing the early blooming of cherry blossoms requires a multifaceted approach that tackles both the root causes of climate change and its myriad impacts on ecosystems and societies. Central to this effort is the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources, thereby mitigating the drivers of climate change and reducing the severity of its impacts on natural systems.

In addition to mitigating climate change, conservation efforts must focus on protecting the habitats of cherry trees and other flora and fauna affected by shifting climate patterns. This may involve the establishment of protected areas, the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the implementation of sustainable land management practices that enhance the resilience of natural systems to climate change.

Education and awareness are also critical components of any strategy to address the early blooming of cherry blossoms and its implications for society. By raising awareness about the environmental impacts of climate change and the need for collective action, we can inspire individuals, communities, and governments to take meaningful steps to mitigate climate change and protect the natural beauty of our planet for future generations.

In conclusion, the early blooming of Japanese cherry blossoms serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impacts of climate change on ecosystems, cultures, and traditions worldwide. It is a call to action—a call to confront the challenges of climate change with determination, compassion, and collective resolve. By working together to address the root causes of climate change and protect the fragile beauty of our natural world, we can ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the timeless splendor of cherry blossoms for centuries to come.

[tomioneerwrites]

The last Hidden Village will fall in seven months.

But Kakashi gave Shikamaru two scrolls, and one of them was a mission. So Shikamaru has worked out his answer. What to do, where to go, and how to survive? Change the events that lead to this, go to the past, gather a small, elite team of intellectual powerhouses with eidetic memories and give them the authority to guide the world down a path that will allow them to be prepared when the attack comes.

Better yet, they could avoid it altogether.

For #ShikaSakuHanami 2019 

the uhh. the working title for this project is married domestic geniuses & time travel shenanigans. I will be tagging it as series: mdgtts because I was bitten hard by the plot bunnies and there might be uhhh... a lot more. Hope you enjoy!

[dutchforstrangers]

Taiora year 2022 | April - Hanami

A/N: Don't mind me posting this just on time/one day late :')

This is a follow up to part 1 (of 2, and this 'diptych' will be called 'Soul & Heart') which I wrote somewhere in April for Sora's belated headcanon birthday and for April's prompt 'Hanami' during Taiora year 2022 hosted by @taioraworld. So this fits the Hanami prompt as well! Sorry though I'm a bit late, hope youll have it anyway :3 Didn't proofread..!

Taiora year 2022 - April: Hanami | Genre: (blooming) Romance + Taichi-cheese | Wordcount: 783 | Rating: K+ | Characters: Taichi Yagami & Sora Takenouchi (Taiora)

Blossoming hearts

His heart had made a little jump when she first entered the coffee shop he was working in. At first he didn’t know why. Sure, she was an absolute natural beauty to him, but it wasn’t a heart skip of love at first sight. It was more of an unfamiliar feeling of familiarity, without having any clue from what or where. His mind had tried to grasp it, but it always seemed to slip from him. What he did know was that his heart had some kind of connection with the heart of that auburn haired girl.

When he heard her stutter, trying to find the right words, it was his heart that automatically filled in the blanks for her. For them. As if he knew what her heart wanted. Responding to her unsaid question thinking like one mind.

“I’d love to see the cherry blossoms with you.”

It made him both grin and blush at that time. She had nodded so fast to his question back then, that she spilled some of the content in the cup. A chai tea latte. He had to offer her a napkin and his lopsided smile of charms and small victory crept up his face.

“I’m so sorry. I’m usually not like this,” she sweetly said to which Taichi had to laugh, waving it all away.

“It’s fine. I would have done the same. Actually, you seem like a woman of control, I’m usually the clumsy one.”

Those words had made the girl, whose name was Sora, smirk a little. Looking back at that moment, it did catch Taichi a bit off guard as she showed another side of her.

“Guess we’re already switching roles then, huh?”

It was a side of her he absolutely loved, especially because every time she adopted his little quirks, she got shy immediately after. Like a flower that took a bit of the sun as she bloomed, but then closed as soon as she felt caught taking in too much from others.

Sora had always been like a flower to Taichi. Like a beautiful blossom, pure and elegant, making every blue sky brighter. Making his heart blossom like the trees grew flowers every spring. Any cherry blossom would fade against her beauty.

His eyes were glued to her every move that first date. There was a feeling he could only describe as knowing he belonged with her. To her.

“Sakura is the flower of renewal,” Sora had started as they stood under one of the many trees, looking closely to the little pinkish flowers. Taichi was in awe of the knowledge she seemed to have, nodding to every word she said. “It’s about new beginnings and bright—”

“—bright futures that lie ahead of us.”

Sora’s cheeks had turned as pink as the blossoms. She giggled and bit her lip soon after, her attention shifting back to the trees. Wind blew through the branches, making leaves of the blossoms softly float away, just like it made the auburn locks of the girl move. The girl, however, stayed. Two feet on the ground, her eyes following the wind, her hand trying to catch some of fine nature.

Taichi inhaled. He was fully aware of the fact that going down on one knee, being only in his early twenties, on their first ever date after talking to each other for not even an hour in total yet was a very, very bad idea. He sensed that it wasn’t her style, just like it wasn’t his either, but somewhere deep down he knew that she would take it anyway.

He didn’t do it that day. His eyes were seeing Sora from the inside and out, his senses heightened around her in between those cherry blossom trees, observing her in every way possible, taking it all in. He followed her. Right until he knew her through and through.

Right until this very day.

“It has been five years since that certain day and Sora, my soulmate, you have no idea how much you’ve changed my life. You make my heart blossom and my soul shine in ways I could never held possible. Watching these trees filled with flowers, the ones we’re standing under and in between right now, every year… Man, I truly hope I will be able to do just that year in and out.”

In her eyes and tears he could see the blossoms float by, hinting at that bright future that was so close he could taste it. See it. Touch it. Feel it.

“Together, forever connected as yours and yours alone.”

“I thought we would have a more traditional wedding, baka,” she whispered, smiling through her tears.

“I do.”

[shikasaku-week]

Thank you for participating in ShikaSaku Hanami Week, the first round of ShikaSaku Week of the year! This time we tried something a little bit different with the prompts, small sentences and phrases that we thought might be inspiring. We’re always happy to hear from you, what worked and what didn’t, so we’ll listen if you have any feedback!

Love, Mouse & Mako.

ShikaSaku Hanami Collection on AO3

Day One: the rusty end of a blade

all the hurts (i’ll be okay) by @dimancheetoile​

homecoming by @mouseymightymarvellous​

price of your greed by @exarite​

Day Two: you wake at dusk

dusk (we will never look back) by @dimancheetoile​

my wandering days (are all i have) by @the-formerone

settlement by @mouseymightymarvellous​

Day Three: closed doors and empty smiles

empty smiles (dead inside) by @dimancheetoile

a pretty (empty) smile by @the-formerone

rupture by @mouseymightymarvellous​

Day Four: ashamed of the thing you become

ruin by @mouseymightymarvellous

the thing you become by @the-formerone

the thing you’re becoming (is a bloody wonder) by @dimancheetoile

Day Five: finger to the wrist

denoument by @mouseymightymarvellous

finger to the wrist (don’t let go) by @dimancheetoile

Day Six: the long stretch of history

grace

by

@mouseymightymarvellous

Day Seven: spinning dizzy

vertex by @mouseymightymarvellous

Other

Hanami (Renewal and Observation) by @tomioneerwrites

The Shadow to my Light by @annadreyar