Fudan-zakura Cherry Blossom Tree
Chisen-en Garden is noted for an unusual species of cherry tree called a fudan-zakura that blooms from the end of September until late spring. This makes Jikko-in Temple one of the rare places in Japan where cherry blossoms and autumn maple leaves can be admired at the same time.
Typically, cherry trees bloom for only a few short weeks in March and April. According to the priests who tend this 100-year-old fudan-zakura, different limbs of the tree bloom at varying times over seven months. Cuttings from the tree have been transplanted to other locations in the garden, where they have also begun to flower.
The cherry blossom’s short blooming period is a popular metaphor that is often used to explain the central concept of Buddhism: The combination of beauty and transience is often linked with the fragility of life and the acceptance of destiny.
The national flower of Japan, cherry blossoms frequent Japanese art, manga, anime, and film, and are even depicted on the 100-yen coin.