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Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing), American Style
Subject: Hanami, American Style
It's spring (in the Pacific Northwest, anyway!).
An article FYI:
Hanami American style
Cherry blossom season is just around the corner. The fleeting
beauty of the flowers has long been associated with riverbanks
in Japan, but such landscapes are not reserved for this country.
Eighty-eight years ago, cherry trees from the Arakawa river were
sent to Washington, D.C., where they were planted along the
Potomac and now grace the U.S. capital with their yearly display.
The Saitama Arts Theater is hosting an exhibition of photos of
the cherry blossoms along the Potomac. The exhibition is being
held to mark the fifth anniversary since the Arakawa and Potomac
became sister rivers.
(Yomiuri Shimbun, 15 March 2001)
Potomac-Arakawa Sister River Agreement
http://www.potomacriver.org/Arakawa.htm
- March 27, 1996 marked the signing of the Sister River Agreement
between the Potomac, which flows through Washington, D.C., and
the Arakawa, which flows into Tokyo Bay
History of the Cherry Trees in Washington, D.C.
http://www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry/history.htm
- They came from Japan, were destroyed once as "a threat to Americans", but now are flourishing
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> It's spring (in the Pacific Northwest, anyway!).
I have been in the Pacific Northwest in the springtime and know how beautiful this
season can be there. Uh oh; I am getting hay fever just thinking about it.
I heard hay fever is Japan is pretty bad right now.
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> I have been in the Pacific Northwest in the springtime
> and know how beautiful this season can be there.
The blossoms are pretty, and there are several places
in town where a community hanami picnic could be held,
but unfortunately the weather at this time of year is
very unpredictable, precluding organized outdoor events.
Any merrymaking has to be a spur-of-the-moment thing, while the sun is shining.
How is (or isn't) spring celebrated in the Nikkei
communities of others on the list?
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> How is (or isn't) spring celebrated in the Nikkei
> communities of others on the list?
About the only thing that I (a sansei living in Japan) can think of
from my childhood in LA
that comes even close to the crowds and atmosphere (spreading of
the goza mats, lots of bento, beer for the adults, soda and ice
cream for the children, etc.) are the kenjinkai picnics that were
(still are?) held in Elysian Park. Those picnics are in no way as
boisterous as some of the hanami parties here in Tokyo.
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> How is (or isn't) spring celebrated in the Nikkei
> communities of others on the list?
In LA, many people go to view the poppies, which bloom around this time.
They are a beautiful bright golden color, and when they are in full bloom,
the ground is covered in a blanket of golden/orange flowers. Other wildflowers
are also mixed in so there is a nice tapestry here and there.
There are some fine viewing sites near Lancaster (about 40 miles north of LA).
We went with a group from work for a picnic one year and it was spectacular.
I took some friends the following year, and we had to literally hunt to see any.
That's the way it is -- it's never the same each year but that's what
makes it kinda special I guess.
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> How is (or isn't) spring celebrated in the Nikkei
> communities of others on the list?
I (a sansei who grew up in the South)
came across a series of photos from my parents' collection. They were from
the 1950s, and labelled "ohanami" on the back. It seemed like my
parents, grandparents and other Nikkei and Nihonjin (I recognized
some faces of former JETRO people) went to see flowers blooming in
rural parts of Louisiana or Mississippi. I don't think this was ever a
tradition, but I do recall that people were really into enjoying the
seasons like this.
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> How is (or isn't) spring celebrated in the Nikkei
> communities of others on the list?
The sakura around here (San Francisco Bay Area) are blooming, but the spirit of enjoying the
blossoms is not quite the same as in Japan.
Subject: Re: Hanami, American Style
> The sakura around here (San Francisco Bay Area) are
> blooming, but the spirit of enjoying the blossoms
> is not quite the same as in Japan.
Cherry blossoms at Chidori-ga-fuchi are about 80% open.
This weekend here in Tokyo should be pretty lively.
> > I have been in the Pacific Northwest in the springtime
> > and know how beautiful this season can be there.
>
> The blossoms are pretty, and there are several places
> in town where a community hanami picnic could be held,
> but unfortunately the weather at this time of year is
> very unpredictable, precluding organized outdoor events.
> Any merrymaking has to be a spur-of-the-moment thing,
> while the sun is shining.
The weather here in Japan is also pretty unstable.
Clear skies one moment, and hour later it starts to cloud up and rain.
It is always recommended to bring along a fold-up type umbrella when
going out during this time of year.
BTW, fresh takenoko is now making it`s appearance at the market....the
canned variety on the shelves back in the States doesn`t even come close
to the fresh variety.
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