Community Chat

[Oznell]

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.   

[Eileen in Virginia]

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. 

[KittySoftPaws]

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

[Bookplate]

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.

[SactoSue]

What a wonderful gesture

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

[sunshine45]

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!

[beach-mom]

@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!   

[rms1954]

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

[on the bay]

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.

[febe1]

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.