Sakura

Sakura (Japanese kanji: 桜 or 櫻; hiragana: さくら; katakana: サクラ) is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees, Prunus serrulata, and their blossoms. Cherry fruit (known as sakuranbo) come from a different species of tree. Sakura, a well-known and ubiquitous symbol of Japan, are represented on all manner of consumer goods, including kimono, stationery, and dishware. Cherry blossoms are an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, and as such are frequently depicted in art, and are associated with both samurai and kamikaze. There is at least one popular folk song, originally meant for the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), titled "Sakura", as well as a number of pop songs. "Sakura" is also a common Japanese female name.

In One Piece, sakura plays an important part mostly in the Drum Island arc, where in Chopper's past, Dr. Hiruluk tried to make sakura bloom in the snow. It eventually did, although he did not live to see it happen. Sakura is usually used for the names of Chopper's attacks.

In the English dub, sakura was changed to "cherry blossoms."