桜 Sakura

Many people believe that Sakura is the national flower of Japan because of its overwhelming popularity . Neither chrysanthemum is the national flower. One may claim that chrysanthemum is usually used by and associated with the Imperial Household. How come chrysanthemum is not the national flower? Actually, there is no national flower in Japan. Although there is Law of National Flag and National Anthem, there is no law concerning national flower in Japan.

According to Kojien 広辞苑, kokka 国花 (national flower) means the most favourite flower by its citizens and flower which could symbolize that country. Both Sakura and chrysanthemum are the national flower of our country (i.e. Japan).

桜:日本の国花ではない?

日本の国花は、桜と菊の２つと言われていますが、桜が秋の菊と同様に日本を代表する春の花と考えられます。実は日本で国花がないそうです。日本に国旗・国歌法があるけど、何の花が国花になるという法律がないわけです。国花って、広辞苑によると、”国民に最も愛好され、その国の象徴とされる花。わが国の桜または菊”と載ってる。