(from the Samurai Art Facebook page)
"Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi" (花は桜木人は武士) is a revered Japanese proverb that carries with it the profound depths of the nation's culture, especially its feudal past. Literally translated as "the [best] blossom is the cherry blossom; the [best] man is the warrior", this saying originated in Japan's medieval period and encapsulates the essence of the samurai warrior class.
The proverb can be alternatively rendered as "among blossoms the cherry blossom, among men, the warrior". This interpretation illustrates a profound comparison: just as the cherry blossom (known as sakura in Japanese) is esteemed above all other flowers, so too is the warrior (or samurai, often referred to in Japanese as bushi) considered the finest among men.
This proverb does not merely rank the samurai as supreme among men, but it also draws a poignant parallel between the warrior and the cherry blossom. The life of a samurai, though marked by glory, was susceptible to an abrupt end during military service - a fate mirrored by the cherry blossom. Known for their ephemeral beauty, cherry blossoms bloom brilliantly for a short period before their petals are shed, reflecting the potential fleetingness of a samurai's life. This enduring metaphor serves as a reminder of the samurai's commitment to live a life of honor and duty, understanding the transience and fragility of existence, akin to the beautiful but brief bloom of the cherry blossom.
