Hanami
Last weekend (April 15th, 2001) Mayu, Tug
and I went for a walk to see the cherry blossoms. Would you like to see a day of full
blossom? You are welcome to come along. Please click on the photos below to see them in a
larger size. In order to keep this page loading quickly I have chosen to use thumbnails.
That way, you may choose where you wish to go without tiring of the wait.
Let's walk the hanami walk! Any questions
along the way, just let me know.
And have a very happy Easter. I did! Today
I received, exactly on Easter Day the most wonderful gifts I could ever have received from
my very very best, far-away friends Michela, Mario and their family! A handcrafted
Easter egg (see it here!) made by the very hands of
Michela's mother, Anna Maria; pictures drawn by their 7yr old daughter, Margherita; photos
of Margherita and Elisa their children; and of course a package of indisputably
delicious Italian coffee made in their very own "back yard". Grazie mille, i mie amici!
Grazie! - Cam
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Along Asuwa River in Fukui,
Japan, every spring there is a wonderful event: HANAMI, or the viewing of the Sakura
(Cherry) Blossoms. Known around the world for her amazing Sakura, Japan comes alive at
this time of the year. It is the heralding of the end of a harsh winter, and the beginning
of the rice cycle as well as the warm weather. It is also a
season of utter beauty. |
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If you take the time for a walk
among these cherry trees, you will find it fresh and invigorating. The fragrance of the
blossoming flowers is sure to bring back images of your youth when you would play in the
fields of spring, smelling the flowers, rolling in the fresh grass. Here, on warm spring
evenings lovers come to chat, to laugh, just to be romantic. Whether young or old, it
matters not. Here, there is great joy. |
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Take a look across the river and
you can see "The Lone Sakura", set against a concrete jungle. Even in the city,
there is peace and harmony brought to life with a simple tree: the sakura! There are many
sakura trees around the city; this is not the only place one need go to enjoy the beauty
of spring |
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If you look down toward the
river you will see several vendors selling various kinds of foods. This is a common sight
during festivals and especially during this cherry blossom season. |
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A closer look at what goes on in
the food stands will reveal a huge variety of snacks a la giapponese as well as games and
toys for the children. After all, what would a festival be without games and children?! |
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Also down by the riverside, all
of the revellers and sun worshippers gather to enjoy the sight, smell of the hanami and
the taste of delicious foods and drink. Don't be surprised if you find a few naked
Japanese men around; it is a mystery why inebriated Japanese men like to take off their
clothes. Everyone here knows someone who does that. We know someone too. And I saw one
fellow "enjoying" the hanami in the most "natural" of ways: all the
way down to his... |
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Mayu, Tug and I had a wonderful
opportunity to enjoy a hot (27C), rain-free, sunny Sunday afternoon together exactly when
the sakura were in first bloom. Even though we have been living here together for the past
11 years, this is the very first time that everything aligned itself just perfectly for
us. It is a day which will remain in our hearts forever. |
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The beauty of the sakura. Very
little can compete with it. Within four brief days it blooms, blossoms in full, dies and
falls to the ground. Known through history as the flower that describes our brief
existence in this world, the cherry blossom nevertheless brings peace and happiness to all
who have the grace and good fortune to see it in full blossom. |
This story and
all the photos it contains are dedicated to TUG this week
because he always puts up with our late nights with a smile.. |
Cam Switzer
April 15th, 2001
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