topic Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN in Community Chat

A GIFT FOM JAPAN

Oznell — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:13:44 GMT

How nice-- in honor of America's 250th birthday this year, the Japanese embassy is announcing that Japan will be giving the U.S. 250 more cherry trees for Washington D.C.

They gave the first gift of cherry trees to Washington back in 1912.

I've never been there during cherry blossom season, but can just imagine how beautiful it is from the famous images we see--

I read something about a "Pink Tie" party that happens during the festival-- that sounds amusing. Wondering who here has attended one?

It's thoughtful of Japan to send the significant number of 250 trees, in recognition of America's landmark birthday.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

Eileen in Virginia — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:23:49 GMT

What a beautiful gesture! The cherry blossoms are absolutely beautiful when they're in bloom. When we were younger, we went down to the Tidal Basin every year. Now DH can't handle the walk, so we enjoy the trees in our neighborhood. In addition to the cherry trees, the Park Service used to plant beautiful flower beds full of tulips and other Spring flowers in the areas near the Tidal Basin. This is the first I've heard of a Pink Tie party, but it sounds like it would be fun.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

KittySoftPaws — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:03:58 GMT

@Oznell I knew about the Cherry Blossoms inWashington but didn't know they were given to us from Japan. That's so cool.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

Bookplate — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:43:52 GMT

Very thoughtful! I lived in DC for a year and the cherry blossom trees in the spring were fantastic. However, don't forget about Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. Yes, Newark. The park has the largest collection of flowering Japanese cherry trees in the country; something like more than 5,000 of them if you can believe it.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

SactoSue — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:55:20 GMT

What a wonderful gesture

The Japanese Cherry trees are indeed, such a lovely living gift.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

sunshine45 — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 03:01:51 GMT

they are such a beautiful announcement that spring is here every year in our area of baltimore. we have a few and our neighborhood has them around also. they are even beautiful when the leaves eventually blanket the grass underneath!

in DC the site is spectacular. everyone should try to go at least once!

thank you japan for your lovely gift of beauty!

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

beach-mom — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 03:37:47 GMT

@Oznell - I would love to see them in D.C! I'm so glad you shared this with us.

These trees were one of my favorite things about Japan. Shortly after I moved there (when I was in my early 20's) I signed up for a Japanese dance class. We would learn the dance to "Sakura." After the first class I was the only "gaijin" (foreigner) who stayed. And I did stay. My instructor didn't speak a lot of English, but we did OK, and I have beautiful memories of a beautiful dance.

I have earrings from Jai that I had to have. They remind me of the many cherry blossoms I saw there. I have the pink. This was my introduction to Jai. I bought just a "few" things from the Japan collection!

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

rms1954 — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 04:31:11 GMT

In 1974 when I got married we went to DC in April on our honeymoon.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

on the bay — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:50:17 GMT

What a lovely gift

I got to be in the Cherry Blossom Parade for several years. One year it was snowing! and freezing!

@beach-mom, Sakura is what we danced to in the parade!

Seeing the Cherry Blossoms is a magical experience; one never to be forgotten. It's like seeing a world of pink snow and when the wind blows, the blossoms float down. I still remember how it felt as if I was walking under them right now.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

febe1 — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:28:44 GMT

So beautiful and wonderful for Japan to gift us with such beauty.

I've been in South Korea in April. The cherry blossoms were every where. I lost my voice for a couple of weeks.

Seen them in D.C., too. Just beautiful.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

newjerseygirl — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:39:56 GMT

@Bookplate wrote:
Very thoughtful! I lived in DC for a year and the cherry blossom trees in the spring were fantastic. However, don't forget about Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. Yes, Newark. The park has the largest collection of flowering Japanese cherry trees in the country; something like more than 5,000 of them if you can believe it.

@Bookplate Yes, Branch Brook Park has more Cherry Trees than Washington, DC.

A few years ago, when my niece got married in April, the bridal party went to Branch Brook Park for pictures.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:59:41 GMT

Beautiful gesture.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

Sakuya — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:07:19 GMT

I have only been to DC once and unfortunately it was not during the cherry tree blooming window. A lovely gift from Japan to commemorate our country's anniversary.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

wagirl — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:59:39 GMT

At the University of Wa campus, there are rows and rows of cherry trees given to that school from Japan, years and years ago--they are just starting to bloom now--spectacular display

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

I am still oxox — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:13:08 GMT

Our one trip to DC was during Cherry Blossom season they were amazing

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

Stray — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:17:44 GMT

@beach-mom

I have the same earrings. I was in Japan during cherry blossom season. I love the country, beautiful culture. I didn’t take a dance class but did a drum class while there.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

just bee — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 16:06:42 GMT

Arigato, Japan!

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

beach-mom — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:39:29 GMT

@on the bay - What a wonderful experience to have been in such a special parade! I can't believe it snowed one year! That must have made the parade even more special, even though you must have been freezing! Did you all wear beautiful kimonos?

@Stray - The drums? Now that is really something! I found the Japanese culture to be "big" on drums. They were everywhere! I will think of you and your drums when I put on my earrings. We're getting closer, although it's still too cold for me!

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

on the bay — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:41:09 GMT

@beach-mom,

Yes, we wore pink kimonos with cherry blossom designs.

Re: A GIFT FOM JAPAN

beach-mom — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 21:46:19 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
@beach-mom,
Yes, we wore pink kimonos with cherry blossom designs.

@on the bay - So beautiful! When I left to come back to the states, the mothers of students in my school gave me a beautiful yukata with a navy background and lots of colorful flowers on it.

In years past I would give talks in some schools and scout troops, including DD's class when she was in middle school (DS' teacher told me she was going to concentrate on other countries.) I took my yukata in and let the kids try it on if they wanted to. You can imagine the laughs when the boys did! We "made" sushi, with rice I took in, canned tuna we opened together, and dipping sauce each kid made. Then I taught them a little bit of basic

conversational Japanese and talked about the schools there. I really enjoyed doing all of that!

Years ago I told a poster here I would post a picture of it here. I haven't done that yet. It has to be ironed. I'll get around to it one of these days!