The cherry blossom is an important religious and cultural symbol in Japan of the transience of all things, especially life - the beauty of life and its eventual end. The transient nature of life historically has been part of the Buddhist cultural tradition in Japan. The life cycle of the cherry blossom is an example and metaphor of this view with its short-lived beautiful blossom. Cherry blossoms also symbolize clouds because a given tree will produce blooms all at once as a canopy. Many Japanese track when the cherry blossoms will appear by closely following weather forecasts - so they can plan viewing get-togethers, parties and the like or visits to shrines and temples. Tributes to the cherry blossom commonly are seen in Japanese art, music and many consumer items, such as clothing and kitchenware.
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