Hanami, or flower viewing parties, are part of Japanese tradition that even after the horrible events of 11 March were still being held by a number of people even in the less than ideal conditions. I went to the Ueno park area last weekend to view some cherry blossoms and the first thing you notice is the sign at the beginning of the park noting that the usual activities surrounding hanami would not be occurring this year due to the earthquake and tsunami (and ongoing nuclear issues).
The Japanese meteorological agency actually provides a “blossom forecast” to allow people in the different areas of Japan to plan their hanami. Hanami is believed to be hundreds of years old with people first celebrating hanami around the 7th century. At that time the parties were also used as celebration with the aim of ensuring that the rice harvest would be good as traditionally rice planting occurred when cherry blossoms appear.
While official hanami activities were not provided people did take the opportunity to partake in hanamai just not with the usual enthusiasm. At Ueno park people had obviously come the night before to lay out their blue tarp to mark their spot with many tarps having the names of people who had “reserved” the spot, their phone numbers and the time people were expected.
As the event was a party there was food to be had and pizza hut did not miss the opportunity with some of their takeaway staff circulating through the crowd phone ordering pizza’s for customers.
If that didn’t appeal there were always vending machines. This photo captured a lot of Japan – people looking at the cherry blossoms but still the ever present vending machines were ready even under the cherry blossom tree.
The Japanese meteorological agency actually provides a “blossom forecast” to allow people in the different areas of Japan to plan their hanami. Hanami is believed to be hundreds of years old with people first celebrating hanami around the 7th century. At that time the parties were also used as celebration with the aim of ensuring that the rice harvest would be good as traditionally rice planting occurred when cherry blossoms appear.
While official hanami activities were not provided people did take the opportunity to partake in hanamai just not with the usual enthusiasm. At Ueno park people had obviously come the night before to lay out their blue tarp to mark their spot with many tarps having the names of people who had “reserved” the spot, their phone numbers and the time people were expected.
Up close the cherry blossoms were spectacular looking lighter than air.
At the base of Ueno park there is a large pond and at this time of year the cherry blossoms hanging over the water made for an impressive sight.
2:23 PM |
Category:
Living in Japan
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