A spring scene at Hase Temple—from ‘“‘ Cherry Viewing Terrace” 
all parts of the country today. The colour of the young 
foliage varies in different individual trees, some being 
of a crimson colour, others light brown, and still others 
yellowish green, mingling with and making a striking 
contrast to the pure white or light crimson flowers. 
This combination of colours in young leaves and flowers 
must have shown in the olden Imperial Court and 
Palaces the wonderful work of nature to the best 
advantage in springtime. 
At a later period there appeared Yae-zakura, or 
cherries with double flowers or manifold petals, which 
are supposed to have existed as early as the Nara 
Period. An ancient chronicle contains a record in which 
mention is made of a religious memorial ceremony at 
~13 
