Saturday, March 26, 2011

Hanami ~Cherry blossoms viewing

 In Japan, we have a "Hanami" custom. Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms season is from the end of March to early May but, it's difficult depending on a region. We can enjoy hanami only 1 week or 2 weeks. People make a outdoor party during daytime or at night. Hanami at night is called "yozakura". Yozakura is also popular. They spread a ground cloth under the cherry blossoms and enjoy the party. The hanami traditional is a long one, originating in the Heian period. The custom was originally limited to the elite of the Imperial Court. But soon spread to the common people and by the Edo period. Under the cherry blossoms, people had lunch and drank sake in cheerful feasts.
 Today, the Japanese people continue the tradition of hanami.

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