See Sakura in America

Who says there's only Sakura flowers in Japan?
In the United States also exist. Not only that, the appearance of flowers is celebrated, especially in the spring. It was pretty flowers are blooming. Arguably, once a year celebration that awaited everyone. As a result, Sakura flowers are already beautiful so it feels very special to the momentum of the celebration.

If the Japanese call interest belonging to the genus Prunus and Rosaceae families that Sakura, the Americans and British call it cherry blossom as a flower of the cherry tree, and indeed "cherry" in English is called "Japanese Flowering Cherry '. To mention cherry fruit, the Japanese say "sakuranbo".

Sakura, as well as chrysanthemums, is a Japanese cultural icon. Please note, the cherry blossoms are most popular there is Somei Yoshino. The flowers are white with a tinge of pink in the middle which makes it look more classic cherry.

Somei Yoshino is a favorite of many types of cherry in Japan besides Yamazakura, Yaezakura, Shidarezakura, Kikuzakura, Shogetzu, Kanzan, Fugenzo, Ichiyo and Ukon. Type of the latter have a different color is yellow. While the types of the most unique is Shidarezakura (weeping cherry), which has branches sticking down like tear drops. In America is a popular type of Somei Yoshino and Yaezakura.

Sakura began to blossom around April and May. While there are several types that bloom late fall or midwinter. Sakura is depending on the season. In warm weather, they will bloom more quickly, whereas when the air is cooler, they bloom more slowly.

Time merekahnya also quite short, only lasted about a week or ten days. When broke, then that is usually inhabitants of Japan celebrates Hanami (flower viewing), which is a picnic with friends or family under a row of trees. Obviously when the air was bright and the wind was blowing too hard.

Beauty sakura has a spiritual and philosophical meaning of human life. For the Japanese, the flower symbolizes joy and sorrow, and remind people to always be grateful and appreciate the life and death. In addition, sakura also reminds us that everything has a opposite. There was sadness, there is joy. There is life, there comes a time to die. There was a time broke beautifully and there are times when falling. And a celebration of the cherry blossoms, in Japan and the United States, has a meaning like that.

Then why is the cherry tree can be up to the United States? The story, in 1912, the Japanese government gave some 3,000's cherry tree seedlings as a sign of friendship between the two countries. By the American government, the seeds of trees were planted on land in Sakura Park in midtown and on the edge of the flow of Tidal Basin, Washington DC.

It's a very impressive selection of exotic as well as the surrounding there are many historic buildings for the U.S. society. The buildings that include Washington DC Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the White House. Not only in these places, then planted a cherry tree seedlings also in several other districts such as Los Angeles, Philladelphia, New Jersey, Georgia, and Washington, Seattle.

Not only grown, flowering plants to enliven the event was also celebrated. Once a year, any early or mid-April, the National Cherry Blossom Festival held in the area of ​​Sakura Park. The goal is clear, except as a reminder of the friendship of two countries, the celebration was also to welcome the arrival of Spring, one of which is marked by the flowering of cherry blossoms. The festival is fully supported by The Japan-America Society of Washington DC at this year held a "49th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival". Its location on Pennsylvania Avenue, just around a few blocks from the Sakura Park.

That day, March 28, 2009, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, begins. When the sun shines brightly. Unfortunately, less friendly and the wind was blowing. But that did not dampen the residents who live in around Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia came in droves to see the beauty of Sakura and watching the parade and enjoy the culture and typical food such interest the country of origin.

The festival which lasts for 16 days was so festive. How not fun, just imagine, every year of ceremonies can gather 600 thousand people came. Not only during the festival, they were still coming up as it goes past the cherry efflorescence Spring.

Paradenya itself lasts from 10.00 and just circling around Pennsylvania Avenue. The participants are so diverse. In addition to rows of participants representing various countries were invited, who appeared on stage there is the Cherry Blossom Queen parade, marching band students high school, Miss America 2009 Pageant Katie Stam, until Kimberly Locke, American Idol 2. Not only Kimberly, a series of other local artists did not want to miss the annual festival enliven it. The main stage is located on the front page of the Lincoln Memorial which is a strategic location because it is surrounded views of buildings and historical background of the towering Washington Monument.

Harajuku Relocating

In addition to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which is not less splendor is the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street. This is a typical Japanese street festival in the largest in the United States. Berlansgsung of his show at 11:00 and 18:00. This year, there are 30 booths involved with a variety of bids. There are booth craft items unique to Japan, kimono, Japanese-style game rides, until the food-beverage-style Western and Japanese. For the latter, visitors staying select from 20 food booths and beverages available.

The festival was only held for one day only. Even so, no less-less entertainment attractions displayed on stage. Not only adults, children also enjoy it because there are some special booth for them. Call it origami booth. Stan is like a playground full of children crowded the busy folding paper to form gulls or other forms. Not only children berorigami Japanese spirit, but also blue-eyed children go try it. Stan is so one of the busiest booths at the festival this time. The booth is a popular kids is Childrenís Corner because they can meet a magician and storyteller Japanese children's stories.

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street began to be held in 1961 throughout Japan before spreading to other countries, including the United States, especially in Washington DC. In that event, supposing tumplek-tin Japanese culture in a place far from his native region. Yes, we can see ways of life, food, customs celebrations, until the religious population. Anyway AZ perjepangan we can know in a lively festival, complete with beautiful flowers sakuranya. At that time, the so-so forget for a moment that it was not in the United States.

Even more exciting, in the event we can meet and take pictures together with Avatar characters and the Samurai. One more, for those who have been to Harajuku or at least never seen or heard the story of a gathering place for young Japanese, where it can feel like moving to Pennsylvania Avenue. Japanese teenagers milling around dressed festive and unique while chattering happily with their mother tongue.

Interestingly, many adolescent "Caucasian" is also dressed Harajuku style. Hair color red, gothic makeup, with tight leggings and striped thermal shirt stacked lace mini skirt. Coincidence because the seasons are also supporting them wear clothes piled up while protecting from exposure to strong winds and the air is still cold in early spring. No visible difference between Japan and the gang gang Caucasians. Ah yes, that distinguishes, Harajuku "Caucasians" were chattering in English.

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