In the Pink: Cherry Blossoms and Kites in DC and across the globe

by jordan | March 30, 2008 at 12:57 pm | 5018 views | 57 comments

It's that time of year again already. Rather than focus on how 2008 is 1/4 finished, let us instead turn our attention to cherry blossoms...

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in Washington, DC, attracting cherry blossoms and the people who love them. Following yesterday's opening ceremony, the festival will run until April 3. Check out the official site for more details, and, should you visit, send us some photos.

Coinciding with the opening of the Cherry Blossom Festival was the Smithsonian Kite Festival, a DIY flight event with strings attached.

The Cherry Blossom viewing festivals in DC and across the U.S. originate in part from the "Sakura Matsuri" festivals in Japan. These festivals are also known part of the "Hanami" or "flower viewing" traditions.

In Japan, Hanami viewings often mean picnics under blossoming trees. Families, classmates and workmates get together, roll-out picnic-mats, bring food and drinks for the festivities which last can last the whole afternoon into the evenings, when the lighted cherry canopies overhead are even more lovely.

The popular hanami spots are extremely crowded and are fiercely contested! It's commonplace for one member of the group to come early in the morning to the spot, spread out the picnic mat, mark it with the group's name and viewing time. Members of the group may take turns making sure no one takes their spot

If you find yourself in Tokyo from late March to mid-April, here's a link to the most popular Hanami spots.

Spring flower festivals are important cultural traditions throughout Asia, and there are many parks and river-side walks famous for spring flower gatherings.

But it seems, the popular sakura matsuris are not without their controversies. Cherry blossom viewings are popular in Korea but it is a practice decried by some Korean historians. They say that "sakura matsuris" are not part of traditional Korean springtime culture.

The cherry trees that bloom in popular and historic Korean sites such as Yeouido and Jinhae were in fact planted by the Japanese during the occupation period.

They were brought over by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Korea to symbolize Japanese political and cultural domination over Korea. Thus, some Korean nationalists call for abolishing the sakura festivities in Korea.

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nophun201

at 13:54 on March 30th, 2008

Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington D.C. - view from the tidal basin, 03.29.2008

nophun201 has contributed a photo to this story.

rivadock4

at 14:14 on March 30th, 2008

The other Cherry Blossom Festival took place at the National Arboretum. Don't miss the azaleas as they burst into bloom in mid April.

rivadock4 has contributed a photo to this story.

english_patient

at 14:51 on March 30th, 2008

This was the first time I'd ever been to the kite festival, and I found it really difficult to capture the expansive nature in simple photographs. The kites dotted the sky as far as the eye could see, and it felt really magical!

english_patient has contributed a photo to this story.

natalamc

at 16:31 on March 30th, 2008

The first day of the Cherry Blossom festival did not disappoint! The blossoms were beautiful and out in force. The crowds were heavy, but added to that wonderful tradition. I am always thrilled to see so many people excited about spring!

natalamc has contributed a photo to this story.

Rachel Nixon

at 18:11 on March 30th, 2008

good stuff:

Beautiful photos from everyone - great stuff.

aki_1117

at 20:03 on March 30th, 2008

aki_1117 has contributed a photo to this story.

patgarcia

at 20:30 on March 30th, 2008

good stuff:

jordan, I like this story. Beautiful tradition, beautiful flowers, beautiful photos! Thanks!

fuzzymak

at 20:35 on March 30th, 2008

Between the blossoming tree and the weathered stone of the USDA building, I couldn't resist lifting the camera as I left the tidal basin this morning.

fuzzymak has contributed a photo to this story.

Glenn ぐれんin Japan

at 20:56 on March 30th, 2008

Hirosaki Castle located in Honshu at the northern tip of the main island of Japan. The castle grounds are reported to have over 2,000 cherry trees which come into full bloom at the end of April. I took this photo a few years ago at the peak of the blossoming. The castle will be pulled down for renovations within the next year or so. It should be completed and re-erected within 4 years.
Photo and comment by Glenn Waters

Glenn ぐれんin Japan has contributed a photo to this story.

one2view

at 21:05 on March 30th, 2008

The very first cherry blossom i saw was in New Zealand, that was about 4 years back. And now when i saw this in Tokyo - Ueno Park, they were just amazing. Because almost all the trees were Sakura tree and most of them were in white color. And under the trees, the Japanese were having picnic. They really know how to enjoy...

one2view has contributed a photo to this story.

cynthia yoo

at 21:10 on March 30th, 2008

Wow, you totally braved the crowds to head to Ueno park! I loved the less busy spots in Naka-meguro (though it's not at all known for cherry blossoms, but you can always find a few).

humphrey7us

at 21:17 on March 30th, 2008

This picture was taken at the Hanami Festival at Ueno Park, Tokyo.

humphrey7us has contributed a photo to this story.

humphrey7us

at 21:20 on March 30th, 2008

Please see above comment ...

waterliving

at 21:22 on March 30th, 2008

this is sakura、cherry tree blooms in KYOTO,JAPAN. I feel spring comes .

waterliving has contributed a photo to this story.

yuzuho

at 21:26 on March 30th, 2008

It took a picture of cherry blossoms in rain.

yuzuho has contributed a photo to this story.

goodpic

at 21:40 on March 30th, 2008

Japanese people love Sakura ( cherry blossom ) since it tells the beginning of spring. The weather forecast tells where the sakura font line goes up every day. It increases Gross National Happiness significantly.

goodpic has contributed a photo to this story.

_kico

at 21:56 on March 30th, 2008

Here is Ueno Onshi Park(上野恩賜公園)in Tokyo.
Ueno Onshi Park→
http://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.jp/toubuk/ueno/index_top.html

_kico has contributed a photo to this story.

Elle-Epp

at 22:06 on March 30th, 2008

Fascinating article. It makes me want to learn more about the history and traditions of Sakura.

Between Friday morning and today we had all kinds of extreme weather in Vancouver, including snow and hail, but the cherry blossoms reminded us it was indeed Spring. Today they glowed pink in the afternoon sunshine.

dstarkphotographer

at 22:21 on March 30th, 2008

A Cherry Moment.
Just out enjoying a beautiful day in Portland and I do it best with my camera.
Taken with a canon 20d exposure 1/200 f32.
www.danielstarkphotography.com

dstarkphotographer has contributed a photo to this story.

ChrisInPhilly08

at 22:42 on March 30th, 2008

This was a crystal clear day on Arch Street in Philadelphia.

It was a great sight to see these.

A sign that Spring has finally arrived.

ChrisInPhilly08 has contributed a photo to this story.

chikatkhs

at 23:00 on March 30th, 2008

Here in Japan, April is the beginning of the year for the schools, jobs, finances and so on... It is not convenient for the world wide mobilization. But as long as we have cherry blossoms, we wouldn't change this, I am sure. The flower last only for about a week, but the effect on our culture is huge. It is not only the superficial beauty, but stands for our total culture.

chikatkhs has contributed a photo to this story.

cynthia yoo

at 23:12 on March 30th, 2008

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and informing us on the importance of Sakura Matsuri.

junreyts copyright

at 23:31 on March 30th, 2008

witnessing again something majestic,.the sakura season. congratulation to all, nice cherry blossom pictures.

Nick Cardy Fan

at 23:37 on March 30th, 2008

These gals were part of the Japantown Cherry Blossom parade in San Francisco; as I remember, it was the Kikkoman float and the woman giving the Hawaiian sign was the queen of the float. We're doing this parade again in April 2008.

Nick Cardy Fan has contributed a photo to this story.

cynthia yoo

at 23:39 on March 30th, 2008

Thanks Nick, it would be fantastic if you could post an article with more of your photos for this year's parade. Sorry for the confusion, flickr tagged your photo as a 2008 one.

Nick Cardy Fan

at 23:42 on March 30th, 2008

Sure, Cynthia, I'll see what I can do. 'Nick' is just my stage name. It's actually Jim

Thanks,

Jim M., San Francisco

dgwwong

at 23:46 on March 30th, 2008

This photo was taken in March 2007 in downtown Vancouver, outside the Burrard St. skytrain station. It's one of the city's finest oasis of cherry blossoms.

dgwwong has contributed a photo to this story.

dustinbrice3

at 00:02 on March 31st, 2008

Portland OR

dustinbrice3 has contributed a photo to this story.

land of entrapment aka dianne brennan

at 00:46 on March 31st, 2008

land of entrapment aka dianne brennan has contributed a photo to this story.