In Japanese, 薄桜鬼 (Hakuōki, Hakuouki, Hakuoki) consists of 3 kanji:
- 薄 means "light", "thin" or "feeble"
- 桜 means "cherry blossom" or "cherry tree" (also known simply as "sakura")
- 鬼 means "demon"
薄桜鬼 (Hakuōki, Hakuouki, Hakuoki) literally means "light sakura demon" which is known in the English localization as "Demon of the Fleeting Blossom" or, more poetically, "Demon of the Pale Dreamlike Sakura".
Why is it called Hakuouki?
Hakuouki is revealed to be the name that one of the main antagonists of the series Kazama Chikage bestows upon one of the main character Hijikata Toshizou at the end of the story.
During a fierce battle that is meant to end in death, Kazama notices that Hijikata, despite being a human (who is meant to be weak and pathetic according to the demon) and a Rasetsu (who is simply a fake demon), demonstrates resolve and bravery to defend his loved ones and see his mission through. Kazama is impressed by his opponent and decides that Hijikata deserves more than to be grouped with the ones he despises, so he volunteers a new name for Hijikata.
The reason Hakuōki is chosen is a combination of the following:
- The ending 鬼 (which means "demon") is what Kazama purposely uses in order to underline Hijikata's difference from Rasetsu.
- The fleeting cherry blossom part (薄桜) came from the scenery around them during their fight (as there is a huge sakura tree nearby) and from the overall meaning of cherry blossoms in Japanese culture. In the Edo period (1603–1868), sakura held deep symbolic significance for the Japanese samurai. The fleeting nature of cherry blossoms, which bloom brilliantly but quickly fall, was seen as a metaphor for the samurai's life. This symbolism reflected the ideals of bushidō (the way of the warrior), emphasizing the transient nature of life and the importance of living honorably. In Hakuouki, Kazama sees Hijikata's life as a reflection of this principle, which is why "sakura demon" seems to be a fitting description for him.