Cherry and plum blossoms are both popular decorative motifs in Japan. Cherry blossoms symbolize simplicity, purity and fleeting beauty, and are so beloved they are considered an unofficial national flower.

Plum blossoms carry a number of meanings, from endurance and perseverance, to rejuvenation and vitality, to purity and feminine gracefulness. For that reason, they have been popular through the centuries as a multi-layered symbolic motif.

But which is which? Both have five small petals, but cherry blossoms always have a distinctive notch in the tip of each petal, and the petals are usually narrow. Plum blossoms are rounder and have no notch.

The Chiyogami Assortment--Plum Blossoms package contains 6 different colors of 1 pattern of washi patterned with branches of plum blossoms, 6 pieces of paper per color. There are 36 sheets total; each sheet is 15cm (6") square.

Click here to see samples.

We personally select all of the papers in the Paper Jade Exclusives category. They are cut and packaged to our specifications. You won't find these selections anywhere else!