Pretty in Pink: Cherry Blossom in Japan

The cherry blossom tree is one of the most evocative images of Japan. Each spring, Japanese meteorologists report feverishly on the progress of the great blooming of pink, as the whole country seems to relax in the presence of ephemeral beauty. The Japanese have a deep bond with the sakura (cherry blossom), and the hanatni (viewing parties) are just one element in a long tradition of appreciation, although the participants and their activities have changed somewhat over the centuries. Today, parties still gather under the spreading blossoms, imbibing sake in celebration of the changing seasons.