On April 14th, Sakura Sunday, the climax of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, took place at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy and experience Japanese culture. The event was graced by the presence of the Mayor of Philadelphia.
Organized by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) and sponsored by Subaru of America, the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the beauty of cherry blossoms, the richness of Japanese culture, and the spirit of sharing joy with everyone.
Dennis Morikawa, the Honorary Consul of Japan in Philadelphia and Honorary Co-Chair of JASGP, expressed his sentiments about the event. He emphasized the diverse attendees from different backgrounds coming together to celebrate the beauty of cherry blossoms and the meaning of life.
Cherry blossoms, the national flower of Japan, hold significant cultural importance in the lives of the Japanese people. In 1926, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence, the Japanese government gifted 1600 cherry blossom trees to Philadelphia. From 1998 to 2007, JASGP planted another one thousand cherry blossom trees along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
Mikio Mori, the Consul General of Japan in New York, highlighted the enduring friendship symbolized by the cherry blossoms between Japan and the United States. He emphasized the strong bond and intimate friendship that has developed between Japan and Philadelphia over more than 160 years.
Mayor Cherelle Parker honored JASGP for its efforts in promoting Japanese-American friendship, recognizing the significance of celebrating the Sakura Festival together as a timeless tradition.
Mayor Parker expressed gratitude for JASGP’s commitment to planting an additional 250 cherry blossom trees by 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Jeff Waters, President and COO of Subaru of America, reiterated the company’s dedication in sponsoring the Sakura Festival for the 21st year, aiming to create a positive impact and support the diverse cultural heritage of Philadelphia.
In addition to cherry blossom viewing, the festival featured a variety of colorful traditional and unique Eastern cultural performances, including live entertainment, calligraphy, origami, drumming, Japanese dance performances, and cherry blossom tree planting ceremonies.
Ebihara Rogen, a calligrapher from Japan, showcased Chinese calligraphy for visitors, with Ren Egawa, Chairman of the 2024 Sakura Festival Committee and Vice President of the Board of Directors of JASGP, providing translation. Rogen explained the historical influences of Chinese calligraphy on Japanese art, preserving the essence of Han Dynasty calligraphy in Japan.
Egawa described Rogen as the “father of Chinese calligraphy in Japan,” a master in the art form who has maintained the vitality of Chinese calligraphy within Japanese culture. This artistic demonstration added a special touch to the festival, showcasing the fusion of Chinese and Japanese artistic traditions.
Responsible Editor: Zhang Yan