'SAKURA' IS JAPANESE FOR CHERRY BLOSSOM. THE SEASON OF LOVELY CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES WITH THEIR BEAUTIFUL PINK COLOUR AND *'HANAMI' PLAYS A VERY MAJOR PART IN THE JAPANESE YEAR AND IS ONE BIG CELEBRATION! THE ZOOMED UP VIEW SHOWS THE LATEST CHERRY BLOSSOM FORECAST (SAKURA-ZENSEN)2008. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FINGER PAINTING OIL PASTEL ON CANVAS 18 x 24 cm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Hanami*...."flower viewing" is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms or ume blossoms. From late March to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast (Sakurazensen lit. cherry blossom front) is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning Hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two. In modern-day Japan, Hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the Sakura during daytime or at night. Hanami at night is called Yozakura (lit. "Night Sakura"). *From Wiki* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!*