Children dressed in kimonos, Taiko Drummers, the breaking of a Sake Barrel (Kagami biraki in Japanese), Philadelphia children’s artwork inspired by the cherry blossoms, traditional Japanese tea by the Urasenke School and the Japanese House and Gardens….
Today, all of these elements of beauty came to life, as the Office of the City Representative and the Japanese America Society of Greater Philadelphia celebrated the arrival of cherry blossoms of spring with a kick-off press event at the Japanese House and Gardens (Shofuso) in West Fairmount Park. The myriad of cherry blossom trees and the Japanese House were the perfect backdrop.
City Representative Sheila Hess, Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Kim Andrews and Subaru of America Promotional/Sponsorship Manager Bridget Hanrahan announced the festival’s cultural events, which conclude with Sakura Sunday, the outdoor festival which offers food, live music and dance performances, athletics, crafts and activities for all ages. (Sakura Sunday takes place on April 9 under the canopy of Philadelphia’s historic cherry trees in Fairmount Park.)
The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia is a project of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) with support from Subaru of America, Inc as its title sponsor and City of Philadelphia. The project fosters a better understanding of the cultural, social and educational customs of Japan building on JASGP’s commitment to plant and maintain cherry trees in local parks. To date, JASGP has planted more than 1,000 cherry trees citywide, supplementing the 1,600 flowering trees presented by the Japanese government as a gesture of friendship in 1926. Photos captured the beauty of the culture and the day.