They also tend to become hollow when they get older, which naturally diminishes the possibilities to be use as felled tree trunks. Despite the overwhelming fragrant clouds of flowers, many satozakura trees do not produce fruits. The blossom time varies among the different cherry types, starting with вЂњsomeiyoshino,вЂќ which produces the earliest flowers. One of the most common вЂњsatozakuraвЂќ is the вЂњsomeiyoshinoвЂќ ( prunus yedoensis), which is cultivated from wild вЂњЕЌshimazakuraвЂќ and used for purely decorative purposes.Д¬herry trees bloom only for a short period from the middle of March to the end of April. The вЂњsatozakuraвЂќ category is large, comprising over 300 different types of cherry. The other main category is called вЂњsatozakuraвЂќ or village cherries, which indicates that the cherry species grow near residential areas and in gardens and parks. In one category are the вЂњyamazakuraвЂќ or wild mountain cherries, also known as вЂњhon-sakura.вЂќ They include four types of cherries: вЂњyamazakura,вЂќ ( prunus donarium) вЂњЕЌyamazakura,вЂќ ( prunus speziosa) вЂњЕЌshimazakura,вЂќ ( prunus sargentii) and вЂњkazumizakura,вЂќ ( prunus verecunda). In Japan, cherry trees are roughly divided in two main types. Prunus serrulata, sometimes called the Hill Cherry, Oriental Cherry, or East Asian Cherry, is a species of cherry native to Japan, Korea, and China. The cherry tree belongs to the Rose family, which includes nearly 3000 different sub-species of flowering plants. Nowadays contemporary printmakers all over the world are eager to learn this unique technique and to know more about the wood used in it. Only in the 1990s did the Japanese traditional woodcut method start gaining more attention in the international art circles. However, the technique of print publishing from the Edo-period was not properly understood until quite recently. A lot of research exists on the artists who designed these prints. They are masterpieces of ukiyo-e, вЂњpictures of the Floating World.вЂќ The best-known ukiyo-e motifs are of famous kabuki actors, beautiful women and historical scenes and landscapes (Fig. In the West, the most famous examples of Japanese woodblock prints have originated from the Edo-period (1600вЂ“1868). These prints are generally referred to as вЂњwoodblock printsвЂќ or вЂњwoodcut prints,вЂќ or sometimes by their Japanese name, вЂњmokuhanga.вЂќ All printed matter, ranging from religious and educational texts to picture books, advertisements, newspapers, and ukiyo-e artworks were produced from printing blocks made of cherry wood. Until the later 19th century, cherry wood was also essential in the Japanese publishing world. The elegant wood pattern complements the simplicity and grace of the tea ceremony, which is known for favoring natural materials. Furthermore, it can be found in some special tea utensils that are coated by thin sheets of cherry bark. It has also been a raw material for high-quality furniture and musical instruments. Cherry wood has been used in various wooden fittings in historical buildings as well as for interior elements, such as thresholds and pillars of tokonoma alcoves. In addition to how visually appealing its short-lived flowers are, the cherry tree has also molded Japanese culture in a more tangible way. Finally, the current state of yamazakura in Japan is estimated, and the future prospects of ukiyo-e printmaking. Research on heat-treated alder and birch was conducted in Aalto University in Helsinki 2008вЂ“2012. Her article also includes an introduction of other wood qualities used in Japan for printmaking and a short report about a Finnish attempt for finding an alternative wood material to yamazakura. Moilanen gives an overview to the art of ukiyo-e and the present day situation in printing block manufacturing.

Difficulties in finding proper yamazakura wood material for making the printing blocks add to the problem. The unique craft of ukiyo-e is gradually fading into history due to lack of successors.

MoilanenвЂ™s research concentrates on the special properties of yamazakura, and its use in manufacturing printing blocks for traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints. In Japan, cherry trees are roughly divided in yamazakura, wild mountain cherries and satozakura, cultivated cherry trees growing in residential areas. Prunus serrulata, sometimes called as Oriental Cherry, is a species native to Japan, Korea and China. Cherry tree belongs to the Rose family, which includes nearly 3000 different sub-species of flowering plants. For Japanese people it represents the beauty and fragility of life. Cherry blossom, sakura, is one of the visual symbols of Japan.

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