By hirohurl on Skatehive
The cherry trees are out in blossom and lots of people are enjoying "hanami" (花見) parties all over Japan right now. In many places the petals are already falling like spring snow, but that won't stop the party goers from enjoying their packed lunches, their barbecued meat, their saké and beer under, or in close proximity to, the cherry trees. The other night, the Mrs and I strolled past her former elementary school (apparently it once had more kids enrolled than any other elementary school in Japan) which, like a lot of schools in Japan, has a row of cherry trees along the length of its boundary with the street. When those cherry trees are in blossom they are illuminated at night and it makes an arresting site as you turn the dark corner only to be met with a sudden blaze of glory. The waxing moon high up in the clear nocturnal sky, beamed down at us between the blossoming branches from the cheerful constellation of sidereal Leo. It is difficult to catch the moon, the illuminated cherr