One of the activities associated with cherry blossoms in Japan is hanami (花見), which literally means "flower viewing." The custom is believed to have started among the aristocracy during the Nara period, when people gathered to admire plum blossom ( ume ) trees that had been introduced from China. During the Heian period, the focus gradually shifted from plum blossoms to cherry blossom. Historical records show that in 894, Emperor Saga held what is considered the first official hanami event. Over time, the custom spread beyond the imperial court. During the Kamakura period, hanami became popular among the samurai class, and by the Edo period it had spread to the general public. During the Edo period, hanami also developed into an important social gathering, where people would eat, drink, and enjoy time together under the blooming trees. The cherry blossoms most commonly enjoyed for hanami today are somei‑yoshino . This variety was developed through selective breedin...