桜梅桃李 (o-bai-to-ri) “never compare yourself to others”
This yo-ji-juku-go (Japanese 4-character idiom) is comprised of 4 beloved Japanese trees. They are:
桜 = cherry (sakura)
梅 = apricot (ume)
桃 = peach (momo)
李 = plum (sumomo)
桜 (sakura) are of course the cherry blossom trees famous for blooming spectacularly and incredibly briefly once a year, usually in April. Sakura trees in full bloom is an annual event, and people go to their local park to see them, take photos, and have picnics underneath them. It’s such a big deal that it’s reported on the weather forecast, with reporters commenting on how quickly the “sakura front” is moving northwards across the country.
梅 (ume) is the “ume” in umeshu! This is a sweet liqueur which is made from soaking ume in sake. It tastes amazing, and is one of the things I miss most about Japan. Japanese learners will no doubt recognise “ume” as usually being translated as “plum”, however it is technically closer to the Western apricot.
桃 (momo) is one of the best-loved fruits in Japan. There is even a fairy story called “Momo-taro” about a little boy who comes from inside a peach. He grows up to be a great hero, of course, and saves everyone from a demon. “Momo” is also a fairly common girls’ name.
李 (sumomo) are known as “Japanese plums” or “Asian plums”. The trees are famous for their delicate white flowers. They usually bloom just before the sakura. Whilst not as famous or as showy as sakura, they are well-loved for their elegance, and for being a sign of spring.
