在日本的传统中，樱花季节是春天的象征，研究发现，自1200年前开始有记录以来，今年的日本樱花盛花期来得是最早的。大阪大学收集的数据显示，2021年京都市的樱花季于3月26日迎来了盛花期。

 

In Japan, viewing cherry blossom is a pastime that's been enjoyed for centuries. Outings are organised to eat and drink while sitting beneath the white and pink flowers. The blossom marks the arrival of spring and reflects the transient beauty of nature.

在日本，观赏樱花是数百年来广受喜爱的消遣活动。人们会组织郊游，在粉白相间的花朵下边吃边喝。樱花盛开标志着春天的到来，反映了大自然稍纵即逝的美丽。

 

Down the ages, records of when the trees bloom have been kept by monks¹, aristocrats² and officials. The data is so detailed³ and goes back so far, it's allowed scientists to reconstruct Japan's climate in centuries past.

古往今来，僧侣、贵族和官员们都对樱花树的开花日期有所记载。这些数据非常详细，而且可以追溯到很久以前，从而让科学家们能够重组几个世纪前日本的气候数据。

 

Following a warm spring, this year, the blossom has emerged in the city of Kyoto at its earliest date for 1,200 years. Peak blossom arrived on March 26th.

随着一个暖春的来临，今年京都市迎来了1200年来最早的花期。花朵于3月26日迎来盛花期。

 

The previous earliest date was way back in 1409, when the blossom came one day later. For the last 200 years, flowerings have generally come earlier and earlier caused, scientists think, by climate change.

上一次最早的盛花期要追溯到1409年，不过比今年晚一天。从整体上看来，过去200年间的开花时节来得越来越早，科学家们认为这是气候变化造成的。

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