Wa-pedia Home > Japan Forum & Europe Forum
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Kafunsho could be cherry blossom allergy (not cedar)

  1. #1
    ESĂ܂I Sharingan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 13, 2007
    Posts
    21

    Exclamation Kafunsho could be cherry blossom allergy (not cedar)

    I heard a medical specialist of allergies talking about pollen allergy in Japan. He said that the cherry blossoms could be the real cause of the high percentage of "kafunsho" in Japan. The Japanese blame it on sugi (Japanese cedars), but there are few sugi in Tokyo and a lot of sakura (cherry trees). This specialist thought about this after finding that many Japanese living in England, France, Belgium and Germany also had strong "kafunsho". There is no sugi in Europe. He said that the Japanese who have kafunsho in Europe all live in residential districts with a lot of cherry trees. I think it makes sense.

  2. #2
    Twirling dragon Maciamo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 17, 2002
    Location
    Posts
    2,434
    Mind you, if it is really sakura that cause allergies in half of the Japanese population the authorities aren't going to admit it. They have planted cherry trees in every park and along every canal or river or castle moat in Japan. This would be terrible news. What could be done then ? Cut all the cherry trees and at the same time destroy the essence of Japan ? I don't think so. Japan without sakura is even less Japan that if you banned the sushi.

    But is it possible that sakura cause allergy ? Obviously yes ! Any plant or flower or foodstuff can cause allergy if humans are exposed too much to it for a too prolonged period. What other sort of pollen are the Japanese more exposed to in Spring than cherry pollen ? None. What's more cherry trees are planted near houses (unlike sugi) and blossoms fly everywhere in the streets in a very visible and undeniable fashion. I don't remember ever seeing sugi pollen flying about.

    Visit Japan for free with Wa-pedia
    See what's new on the forum ?
    Eupedia : Europe Guide & Genetics
    Maciamo & Eupedia on Twitter

    "What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?", Winston Churchill.

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 29, 2010
    Posts
    6
    Obession lead to excess. Excess lead to negative reaction from the body. Allergies are caused by excesses. What can we call the Japanese enthusiasm for cherry trees if not excessive ? Its a miracle that they dont all sneeze when cherry petals fly all over the place !

  4. #4
    (what a tasty dog) A ke bono kane kotto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 14, 2007
    Age
    40
    Posts
    77
    Go tell a Nihonjin that she is allergic to sakura...
    I like llX

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 3
    Last Post: Apr 11, 2005, 10:39
  2. Where are you going to watch the cherry blossoms this spring ?
    By Maciamo in forum Travelling in Japan
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: Apr 1, 2005, 10:38

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •