Just Do It

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival 2007

by Naoki Miyakawa

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This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, a local event that began in 1998. Cherry blossom festivals are a longstanding Japanese tradition that first came to America in 1926, when the Japanese government sent the U.S. a gift of more than 1,500 cherry trees.

Each year, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) plants 100 trees in Fairmount Park to honor the occasion. And, like the foliage, the number of attractions has increased with time. This year, there are 35 events that embrace authentic Japanese traditions. About 40 performers from Tamagawa University, one of Japan's top performing arts schools, will drum and dance during a Tamagawa taiko performance at UArts on April 11. On Sakura Sunday (April 15) in Fairmount Park, participants can enjoy Japanese tea ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations and workshops on windsock-making and kite-flying. An anniversary gala will be held at the Art Museum April 21.

JASGP, which vowed to continue planting after the inaugural festival, hasn't lost sight of its original goal — this year marks the arrival of the 1,000th cherry tree in Fairmount Park. Organizers see it a sign of continued success. "The 10th anniversary will be the biggest ever," says JASGP assistant director Sam Malissa. "Hopefully, the Cherry Blossom Festival will become a Philadelphia fixture."

Runs April 9-22, call 215-790-3680 or visit www.jasgp.org/sakura for a list of scheduled events.