Remembrance
追忆
(Nagano, Aomori, Central Hokkaido, 2014〜)
Cherry blossoms thrive for about a week or even shorter if conditions are unfavorable. At their peak, the blooms are vibrant and joyous. Once their time is up, the falling pink petals drift through the air onto the ground or into nearby streams where they look like brushstrokes as they swirl in the currents.
In Japan, cherry blossoms are the national flower. It is symbolic of the concept of “mono no aware” (物の哀れ), which speaks to the impermanence of life, and to the sadness and longing for things that have passed. However, it also recognizes that this very transient nature of life is what heightens our appreciation of its beauty and makes us treasure our encounters more deeply. Lives might have been brief, but they leave indelible marks on our consciousness. Photographing cherry blossoms has enabled me to re-embrace my love for my mother, who passed away at an early age of fifty, and to celebrate her fleeting life.
For more images in this series, please contact Xuan.
