Cherry Blossoms on a Pond

There is a pond that each spring turns into a flowered mirror. Cherry blossoms scatter petal by petal, wafting gently onto the water’s surface like delicately scented silk scarves. To the koi carp in the pond, the fluttering petals must look like clouds billowing across the sky. Such musings made me think the pink petals on the water’s surface also resemble scaly pink clouds at sunset. Blown by the breeze, the cluster of cherry petals shift and change shape like a school of fish, an ever-moving kaleidoscope. The pond, which is in a corner of the grounds of the Soka Gakkai headquarters, was lit up by the brightness of a beautiful spring day. …

My mentor second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda loved cherry blossoms. Referring to this or that he would say, “When the cherries are in bloom,” and “Let’s walk the path of cherry blossoms.” On occasion, we would walk together from Ichigaya to observe the cherry trees in full bloom. Standing on the bank of a moat, my teacher would say, “These cherry trees have endured the bitter cold of winter to bloom yet again!” Their image mirrored the blossoms of happiness that had accumulated in Mr. Toda’s heart, having endured the bitter winter of imprisonment during the war.

“Winter will turn into spring without fail!” he would declare. He also said, “I want to die when the cherries are in bloom.” That wish came to pass. Having filled the hearts of many people with the fragrant spring of happiness, gallantly, with serene dignity, he scattered his life to the wind with the cherry blossoms. And like the falling blossoms, my mentor’s life ended with dignity and splendor.

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The cherry blossom, which rules supreme among flowers, symbolizes the spirit of a champion of life, as it continues to live fully to the last moment.