Exam

It's the season of examinations in Japan and new school year starts in April. My niece is a candidate for an entrance exam of a high school this year.

There is a interesting expression to say pass/fail exam related to cherry blossoms. This phrase used to be used as a telegraphic message to tell you the exam result. If you say 'Sakura saku' (cherry blossom blooms) you passed the exam, and 'Sakura chiru (cherry blossoms falls)' means you failed the exam. Cherry blossom is strong in connections with the Japanese mind.

I saw early blooming cherry blossoms the other day. It makes people smile. Wish all candidates a good luck!