Spring is my favourite season of the year because of my love for Japanese cherry blossoms.
Sidebar: I still have my heart set on buying my very own cherry blossom tree when I have a house.
Anyways, the Sakura Days Japan Fair took place last weekend at Van Dusen Gardens. The weekend event not only celebrated the blooming of the blossoms, but was also a fundraiser for the Japanese Red Cross.
Sean and I went to the festival on Saturday. Although there weren’t many flowers blooming yet, it was sunny and warm. Lots of activity on the grounds. There were food vendors selling yakitori, onigiri, yakisoba, japadogs, matcha waffles and green tea just outside the garden. Inside the floral hall, we spied kimono demonstrations, an ikebana workshop and vendors selling Japanese wares. We caught an outdoor koto performance near the cherry grove but passed on the sake tasting tent.
Top right: Aquarius, bottom left: Sagittarius
Also spread out on the garden grounds was the Emotional Geometry exhibition, outdoor sculptures by acclaimed Mexican artist, Sebastian. The last time we went to Van Dusen in fall 2009, the Zimsculpt exhibition from Zimbabwe was there.
Hare today. Gone tomorrow?
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the minotaur sculpture was still there, although they moved it. It was right by the labyrinth last year and now stood closer to the front of the garden. Sadly, it looks like the little hare that the minotaur holds is missing! I hope it did not get stolen cuz that would be a pity.
We ended our afternoon at the Sakura Fest with a cup of steaming hot green tea. Sitting by the reflecting pool and basking in what was left of the sunshine, we watched the hordes rush to line up for last call at the food vendors.
And chuckled at the young guy who pretended not to understand when the volunteer told him they had to cut the line off in front of him. Even though she was speaking in English, he feigned like she was speaking gibberish. I guess he really wanted some yakitori.
View more photos of the Sakura Fest on my Flickr album.
3 Comments
the missing hare makes me very sad.
the sculptor must be furious.
I have to confess that the Japan tsunami news made me think of the blossom trees being ruined.
how shallow is that.
Natural beauty is free for even the poorest people to see and be charmed.
We have a cherry tree in our garden… I wait and wait all year.. suddenly April is here, she blooms, I blink, and she’s gone.
Thus begins the waiting for next year 🙂
Sometimes I think sakura really means longing, waiting, for something fleeting 😉
Poor little hare!
@ann – me too. i hope to go back to van dusen to see if the hare is there or if it’s really gone. (maybe its wire coils needed repairs?) fingers crossed.
i love cherry blossoms too. this year’s crops in vancouver is not as full as past years. must’ve been the wonky weather this year.
@shiasta – lucky you! a cherry blossom tree would be one of my first purchases when i buy a house. and i too, would be watching that tree everyday, waiting for spring.
cherry blossoms are very fleeting indeed. and because of that makes it all the more treasuredl. 🙂