"さくら さくら" (Sakura Sakura - Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms) is a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, the season of cherry blossoms. It is often sung in international settings as a song representative of Japan.

Contrary to popular belief, the song did not originate in ancient times; it was a popular, urban melody of the Edo period from 1603 to 1868.

Sakura "Cherry Blossoms"; Traditional Music of Japan, Classical Koto Music 日本の伝統音楽：

Japanese lyrics:

桜　桜 
 野山も里も 
見渡す限り 
霞か雲か 
朝日に匂う 
桜　桜 
 花ざかり

桜　桜 
 弥生の空は 
見渡す限り 
霞か雲か 
匂いぞ　出ずる 
 いざや　いざや 
見に行かん

Japanese lyrics:

桜　桜 
 野山も里も 
見渡す限り 
霞か雲か 
朝日に匂う 
桜　桜 
 花ざかり

桜　桜 
 弥生の空は 
見渡す限り 
霞か雲か 
匂いぞ　出ずる 
 いざや　いざや 
見に行かん

Romaji:

sakura sakura 
 noyama mo sato mo 
 mi-watasu kagiri 
 kasumi ka kumo ka 
 asahi ni niou 
 sakura sakura 
 hana zakari

sakura sakura 
 yayoi no sora wa 
 mi-watasu kagiri 
 kasumi ka kumo ka 
 nioi zo izuru 
 izaya izaya 
 mini yukan

English translation:

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, 
 In fields, mountains and villages 
 As far as the eye can see. 
 Is it mist, or clouds? 
 Fragrant in the rising sun. 
 Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, 
 Flowers in full bloom. 

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, 
 Across the spring sky, 
 As far as the eye can see. 
 Is it mist, or clouds? 
 Fragrant in the air. 
 Come now, come now, 
 Let's go and see them! 

⇒ 1672 England - Come Lasses and Lads

⇐ 1500 France - Il était un' bergère (There was a little maiden)

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