Cherry Blossoms and the Concept of Impermanence: Nature Worship from an Aesthetic Perspective

Abstract

As a highly representative natural icon, the cherry blossom has long been deeply associated with the concept of impermanence (Mujō) and nature worship. By examining the cultural mechanisms linking cherry blossom imagery, impermanence, and nature worship within classical literature and the Way of Tea (Chado), this study analyzes contemporary cultural practices such as MUJI’s cherry blossom product series and Hironao Tsuboi’s “Sakurasaku” glass. The findings indicate that the cherry blossom became a core symbol of impermanence through the dual influence of Mujō and nature worship, gradually solidified via the aesthetic construction of classical literature and the ritualized practices of tea culture. These tripartite cultural mechanisms continue to undergo transformation in modern consumption and design sectors. Unlike existing scholarship that often adopts a singular perspective, this research integrates the internal logic connecting cherry blossoms, impermanence, and nature worship at a mechanistic level, offering a new reference point for the study of cultural symbols. Future research may further expand upon these findings through the lenses of folklore and cross-cultural communication.