Loyalty (Chūgi)

SAKURA

Hundreds of years ago, when feudal lords were often at war, there was a forest untouched 

by battle, full of tall trees and wild animals. No warrior 

dared disturb its peace.

In its heart stood a tree, sad 

and lonely, that never bloomed.

    But one day, the woodland fairy, seeing so much loneliness, was moved, approached him, and said she would cast a spell that would last 20 years. During this time, the tree would experience what the human heart feels. Perhaps then it would be moved and blossom. 

    The fairy further told him that he could transform into a human and then back into a plant, but if he failed to become viable after 20 years, he would die forever.

    The tree transformed into a human, but at first he found only hatred and war. For this reason, he often returned to being a plant, until one day, as a man, he saw a beautiful girl walking by. It was Sakura, who showed kindness: they talked for a long time, sharing dreams and hopes.

    When Sakura asked him his name, the tree could only think of one word: "Yohiro," which means hope. A deep friendship developed between the two, and soon love blossomed.

    One day, Yohiro confessed his love and true nature to Sakura. Sakura was shocked and remained silent. Time passed, and the 20-year deadline was approaching. Yohiro, who returned to his tree form, felt very sad. 

    But Sakura confessed her love to the tree. Then the fairy appeared again and asked Sakura to choose: remain human or merge with Yohiro as a tree.

    She thought of hatred and war and decided to merge with Yohiro. And then the two merged and became one, and as if by miracle, the tree blossomed. The word Sakura means "cherry blossom." Today, their love flourishes in Japan.

Honor (Meiyo)

Minamoto no Yoshitsune