Sakura
Christina Rombola (Longwood High School)
Ever since I was twelve years old I was mesmerized by music. When I was in seventh grade, I started
attending voice lessons. My teacher’s name was Mrs. Beckers. She was a six foot tall German opera singer
with stocky shoulders, a soft smile and an angelic soprano voice. We typically studied music by classical
composers and explored literature in the romantic languages. However last May, Mrs. Beckers introduced
me to something radically different than I was accustomed to. She handed me a copy of a Japanese
folksong titled “Sakura.” Surprisingly, my native-born German teacher properly taught me the
pronunciation and meaning of every word. Together we sang the folksong even though I was unaware of
the symbolism it entailed.

Mrs. Beckers was incredibly inspired by this artistic representation of eastern culture. It was strange to
see a German woman be so knowledgeable of and fascinated by a culture completely opposite of her own.

She explained that the title of the song, “Sakura”, meant cherry blossom in Japanese. The song was about
the celebration of blooming Japanese cherry blossoms. She continued to tell me that the Japanese people
believe the flower is a symbol of the transience of life because the delicate petals fall only days after they
bloom. Japanese people are not afraid of death. Instead, they value life and live every day by the morals
they were raised upon. The cherry blossom is also a symbol of the samurai. The samurai were a group of
fierce warriors who lived by the Bushido code. This code of conduct encompassed the importance of duty
and loyalty, justice and morality, sincerity, courtesy, compassion, heroic courage and honor. They also lived
by the value of gaman, or the belief in forbearance and self-sacrifice. Although they may not have wanted
to go to battle, they did because they were committed to serving their people. Even though the samurai
class diminished in Japan, the people still live by a similar conduct. As time passed, I realized why Mrs.

Beckers was so enthralled by Japanese culture. It was because she encompassed everything that the cherry
blossom, gaman and the Bushido Code stood for.

After four years of study with Mrs. Becker, she informed me that she was diagnosed with cancer. I
was devastated that my longtime friend was struck by a disorder that crippled her by the minute. However,
when she relayed the news, she said it with a smile and told me not to worry. She explained she was not
afraid of the road ahead of her and that our lessons were to continue as usual. Although I was distraught,
Mrs. Beckers seemed completely comfortable with her tragic fate. I did not understand why this terrible
thing happened to such a wonderful person. She had compassion for every person that crossed her path, and
went out of her way to help others. Mrs. Beckers believed in her students’ capabilities and pushed them to
achieve their highest dreams. She spoke with a sincere voice, and was never disloyal to anybody. Mrs.

Beckers epitomized the Bushido Code. She loved her life, her students and music so much, that she was
okay with the startling news. This woman was not afraid of death, but mesmerized by life. She enjoyed her
life so much that her sickness was inconsequential. Mrs. Beckers continued to teach music until she could
no longer play the piano. Although she was weak and feeble, Mrs. Becker believed in gaman and put her
suffering aside to teach young people beautiful music.

The cherry blossom symbolizes the evanescent nature of life. Japanese people never walk by a cherry
blossom tree without stopping because they know that the flowers may be gone the next day. Both Mrs.

Beckers and the Japanese people believe in valuing everything, even if it only exists momentarily. Life, like
the cherry blossom, is not eternal. Every individual follows the course of life until their inevitable fall.

Therefore, we must pass time with something that we love unconditionally. Mrs. Beckers found her passion
of teaching music. However, like Mrs. Beckers, the Japanese believe more in the whole rather than the
individual. Although it is important to live life to personal standards, it is also important to have a positive
effect on surrounding others. I admire Mrs. Beckers for her love of life, her altruistic nature and her
remarkable impact on young people. Although my friend was a product of the western world, she conveyed
everything Japanese culture stood for.

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