Back then only the wealthy were able to afford doing such
activities but with the Merchant class slowly gaining a sufficient
amount of wealth comparable to the upper class, sakura
became common among the masses and eventually, finding
their way from wood prints, to being a long standing piece
on the skin. It represents the ascending of their situation in
life, but the short life span of these flowers reflects the
insecurities of its owner as well. Merchants have always
been in the bottom of society. They buy specific goods
from others and sell them to a different client, it’s a
trade. Yet society believed that they were taking the
money of honest, hardworking people who spend a
great deal of time in creating the goods.
Sakura also indicates the search for a meaning in
life. They rose from the bottom on their own and
was able to relish in rare, entertainment
activities reserved for the rich. Yet they were
forbidden to associate with other classes.
These sakura depicts the self-made man who
reached the highest goals of their station. It
symbolizes the fruition of a prosperous
lifestyle earned from their own hands.
However, the lingering discrimination
and ranking installed within the people’s
minds placed a hidden connotation
that signifies the end and destruction.
Why did the Japanese demean and
marginalize the Merchant class? In
short, why do we put people
down, despite them proving that
they can live up to even higher
standards? When it comes to a
group they considered less of
an importance to them,
society becomes a huge
factor in shaping