Cherry Blossom Lingo: late-blooming cherry blossoms

I am sure it will not surprise you that there is a term that specifically relates to cherry blossoms that bloom later than the others. It is Osozakura, 遅桜, literally late cherry blossoms. It refers to sakura that open after the main wave of spring bloom has already passed.

You may have heard the term "yaezakura" before. That terms is also used for late blooming cherry blossoms. But the difference is that "yaezakura" are the broad category of late blooming cherry blossom varieties, but "osozakura" isn't just limited to "yaezakura". These blossoms appear when the air has already warmed and most petals have fallen and the excitement of peak hanami has passed.

The photo in this post was taken on May 1st in the Kanto plain. By May 1st most people have moved on to other flowers and forgotten all about cherry blossoms! As such "osozakura" often evokes a sense of regret. But it is also used in poetry to represent patience and / or unhurried grace.