Czarism.com

Yesterday Luna and I attended the 48th Sakura Matsuri (Japanese St. Festival) in Washington D.C., and what a nice experience it turned out to be. Sakura or Cherry Blossom is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees, Prunus serrulata, and their blossoms. Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday.

While the clouds where thick with rain, the weather didn't seem to keep anyone at home (Est. 120,000 visitors in 7 hours.) Presented by the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C. the Sakura Matsuri is the nation’s largest one day exhibition of Japanese culture and features over 30 vendors of Japanese and Asian cuisine; a Japanese beer garden; 25 exhibits of Japanese arts and crafts; 20 vendors of Japanese and Asian products; the new “J-POP Land” highlighting Japan’s modern youthful society; martial arts demonstrations; and live performances of both traditional and popular Japanese culture.

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, nonpartisan educational and cultural organization for individuals and corporations with an interest in Japan and US-Japan relations. Founded in 1957, the Society promotes greater understanding and networking between Americans and Japanese through its many cultural, public affairs, and educational programs. Serving the six million residents of the Nation's Capital region, the Society also sponsors programs of national significance, including the Japan Bowl®, the Sakura Matsuri, and the annual Public Affairs Dinner.

- http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sakura+Matsuri+2008&search_t...
- http://www.answers.com/topic/sakura-1
- http://www.answers.com/Matsuri?nafid=3
- http://www.sakuramatsuri.org/index.htm
- http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/events/eng/event_display.ph...
- http://www.us-japan.org/dc/