The opening of cherry blossoms is also celebrated in Japan, where the flower is a treasured part of national culture. The cherry blossom, which is very beautiful but fleeting, was regarded as akin to a great samurai warrior’s life and has been the subject of countless works of Japanese art. At numerous sites around the country, people gather under cherry trees when they are in bloom, where they celebrate with picnics, parties, and festivals. View a larger version of this digital image. |