12. "A Year After"

My apologies for such a long delay in writing articles. Thanks to all of you for your interest in reviving this column too! I always enjoy hearing from readers!

Well it has been one year (March 31st) since I have been home from Japan...that fact baffles me at times. Sometimes I feel like my time in Japan was a haze, like a dream and other times I can so vividly recall daily trips to 7-11 to buy my "obento" (boxed lunch) or my daily treks to the train station. It feels strange to be home at times, like I am only visiting for a holiday then heading back to Kamogawa, in Chiba prefecture. There are many days that I truly miss Japan with all my heart, this time of year especially-cherry blossom time, for the "hanami" (cherry blossom viewing parties). I was very fortunate to have moved to Japan in March of 2001, so I was just in time to get settled then go to Tokyo to see the "sakura" (cherry blossoms), during early April. What was even more fortunate, and quite unusual, was right before I left Japan to return to America, the sakura bloomed early and I once again headed up to Tokyo and neighboring towns to see the magnificent glory of the blossoms. If you have never experienced their beauty in person, I most highly recommend a trip to Japan. Of course, I realize that is not possible for everyone, so I would have to recommend Washington DC, for a national trip. The cherry blossoms that surround the Thomas Jefferson Memorial basin are absolutely lovely. To me, that is the next best place too, since those cherry blossoms were actually donated to DC by Japan, there is even a little historical marker noting the event. I just returned from a trip to DC but was a bit too early for the blossoms, maybe in another week or so...if you are planning :-) :-)

Cherry Blossom viewing is an old tradition in Japan. Many people gather under the trees in public parks, or near shrines, to have picnics. Often, you see small after-hours office parties, complete with lights and food and drinks. Any area that has cherry blossoms is just filled with people on the weekends as well. Some folks picnic, while others enjoy a peaceful stroll under the blossoms that cascade down upon you like a gentle snow. The grandest sight I ever saw of cherry blossoms in full splendor was when I visited the outside grounds of the Imperial Palace ( the home of the Emperor and Empress of Japan). Upon first view, I had been trudging up the stairs from a subway station, when I looked up and out and was just in awe! I stopped in my tracks to take it all in, much to the dismay of the people behind me I am sure. The thought of taking pictures had not yet entered my head for I was so mesmerized by the beauty before me. Never had I seen so many blossoms at one time! The sidewalks were covered with people and fallen blossoms but I was so unaware of anyone around me. I slowly came to my senses enough to start taking pictures and video, but not even the best photographer could capture the essence of that moment, being completely surrounded by pink and white fluttering blossoms. Well, the day was quite a treat and I slowly walked under the dark brown branches that contrast so sharply with the light hues of the blossoms. I often kept turning in my tracks to see the blossoms from another view, again, I am sure much to the dismay of any wandering people who were behind me. This too, is where I was able to see the blossoms again before I returned to America-as if a found farewell from the country I was for a short time, at home.

Another magnificent place to view the cherry blossoms was not too far from my home, in Chiba Prefecture, in Tateyama, the town where I taught high school conversational English. Now, to see these blossoms you had a little bit of a hike, maybe 30-40 minutes walk from the train station, then up the side of the hill to Satomi Castle. Oh, the view from up on the hill was fantastic! From one direction you could see the hills of northern Chiba and from another direction you could see Tokyo Bay, and if a clear day...maybe even Mt. Fuji in the distance. Although the blossoms were not as abundant as near the Imperial Palace, the sight of the once shogun era castle, as a backdrop of the blossoms was breathtaking. Many a day I spent my afternoons up on the hill, enjoying the sights, the blossoms, the castle, the view of the city, families enjoying the season-a very peaceful, reflective time. I suppose spring is that way for many, a time of renewal and reflection. And it is times like those that I miss dearly, the quiet, the beauty, and the peace of the moment. 

Here is wishing everyone may soon see their own cherry blossoms and feel peace.

(to be continued...)

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