东京樱花在灾难阴霾中延后绽放六天

东京的樱花于本周一正式进入花季，可是因为大地震和海啸以及核电站危机的影响，往年那些欢庆和祈福的场面都已不见了踪影。部分东京市民表示正在考虑取消原定的赏花活动，担心在灾难阴霾尚未散去的时候出去赏花会被看作是对灾区同胞的麻木不仁。不过，也有市民表示，樱花代表着日本人民，樱花盛开表示大家都要回归到日常的生活轨迹上来。东京的樱花季开始时间是由气象部门在观测官方选定的“标准”樱花树开花情况后宣布的，今年的花期比往年晚了6天。

Tokyo's cherry trees officially bloomed on Monday, but the usual joy that prompts parties and merrymaking was absent as Japan struggles with the aftermath of a mammoth quake and tsunami as well as the crisis at a stricken nuclear plant。

The fragile pink blooms, said to evoke the brevity of life, arrived six days later than usual and nearly three weeks after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, which left more than 27,000 people dead or missing and devastated Japan's northeast。

In normal years, the announcement sets off a frenzy of celebrations beneath the blossoms, with the often reserved Japanese eating, drinking and sometimes singing in raucous groups。

Amid a general mood of moderation, with sports and fashion events canceled and even Disneyland shuttered due to rolling power cuts, some Tokyo residents thought of cancelling their planned cherry blossom events, fearing they would seem insensitive toward survivors struggling to rebuild their lives up north。

But at the last minute, some -- like 45-year-old Chieko Komuro -- decided to go ahead and celebrate what happiness they could get for now, coming with her children to be photographed beneath the blossoms。

"We had been planning this for the past three months and hesitated initially to follow through, but I wanted to capture my daughter's smile and to make great memories," she said。

Others found solace in the arrival of spring and having something to look forward to。

"There is no point in being depressed all the time, so I think we should all just take a walk outside as it cheers you up," said 68-year-old Mitsue Yamazaki, who was strolling in the park near the Imperial palace where some early trees were already in bloom。

Tokyo's cherries are declared in bloom by the Meterological Agency when official "benchmark" trees flower, even if other trees have already burst into full bloom. Tokyo's benchmark trees are on the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine。

Ryuichi Oda, a photographer taking pictures of Komuro and her children, said he felt the flower represented Japan。

"I think the Japanese see the cherry blossoms as symbolizing the need to get back to basics in life," he added。