Strange things start to happen when the Sakura (Cherry Blossom trees) start to bloom. Looking at it from a science perspective, these trees are quite strange. So, I guess the unusual Japanese tradition of Hanami (Cherry Blossom viewing) shouldn't be any less strange. These trees shoot out thousands of quarter-sized pinkish white flowers at the end of March (or beginning of April for northern Japan) before ever exposing a single leaf to the sun. It all happens very fast too. The trees start showing their flowers and less than ten days later, the wind has blown the tree limbs bare (the Japanese call this the Spring Snow). This botanical firework display by mother nature signals the official start of Spring in Japan. The Japanese school year also coincides with this arrival of Spring orchestrated by the Sakura. Homeroom classes often take their first class picture of the year under a big
Sakura as its pinkish-white petals cascade to the ground. Hanami is a Japanese tradition that I would compare to a college homecomi
ng. Family and friends gather in large numbers near Sakura filled parks and stream banks to eat, drink, and be merry. And they also drink a lot. Did I mention that already. It's 
basically a nationally sanctioned excuse for adults to drink themselves silly in public and forget about some of their daily worries. So, we used some of our Spring Break time to head to Tokyo to experience hanami (minus the booze) in some of Tokyo's most famous Cherry Blossom viewing venues. Ueno Park was packed with boozers by 10am (that's a bit early for us to start drinking, especially when we had a whole day's worth of walking ahead of us). Anyway, we witnessed some of the most breathtaking blossoming Sakura and we took tons of pictures. We both felt very fortunate to be in Japan during this part of the year.
We'll be heading back to the U.S. next month so I've been doing a lot of reflecting on American society versus Japanese society. I'm sure that it would be no surprise to anyone if I said that in many ways American culture is really cold and not very welcoming at times. This is most obvious here in Japan were the societal emphasis is on the group and not the individual. Things like hiring a company employee for life (i.e. keeping that employee on the payroll even during a recession), saying "good morning" to everyone that you see in the a.m. (even the 
crossing guard near the school), and thanking people for doing the 'little things' all come to mind. The flip side of the coin is that the hyper dedication that a Japanese employee has for his/her employer can have a detrimental effect on family life. Whereas the U.S. population is growing at a rate of about 1% each year, the Japanese population is growing by only one tenth of that rate. Perhaps married couples aren't dedicating enough time to their marriages??? There's a lot of research to support this hypothesis. Perhaps the U.S. is better off with a slightly more relaxed work ethic. I think that the U.S. has become a little too relaxed however. Everyone in the U.S. seems to be looking for the "shortcut" to success. "There must be an easier way," many Americans might say when confronted with a difficult or lengthy task. I think Americans have lost so
me of their grit. A recent book that I've been reading has had me thinking about the influence of religion on society. Without getting into any personal beliefs here, I just want to point out some glaring differences that many might find surprising. In the U.S., 95% of Americans claim to be religious and attend religious services frequently. In Japan, people only utilize religion (namely Buddhism and Shintoism) primarily for special cer
emonies and events. Religion isn't infused into daily life like it is in the U.S.. And yet, the rates of crime in the two countries contrast sharply. Crime in Japan seems almost nonexistent. I, for one, have never felt safer than I do right now. Do many Americans affiliate themselves with a particular religion because they think it looks like (when viewed by others) the moral and right thing to do? But do people really walk the walk and talk the talk? Is genuine religious devotion and practice the only route to a moral and sound lifestyle??? I don't know the answers, I'm just putting it out there for yall to chew on. Sorry, I'm starting to ramble. Let's clear some clutter.
crossing guard near the school), and thanking people for doing the 'little things' all come to mind. The flip side of the coin is that the hyper dedication that a Japanese employee has for his/her employer can have a detrimental effect on family life. Whereas the U.S. population is growing at a rate of about 1% each year, the Japanese population is growing by only one tenth of that rate. Perhaps married couples aren't dedicating enough time to their marriages??? There's a lot of research to support this hypothesis. Perhaps the U.S. is better off with a slightly more relaxed work ethic. I think that the U.S. has become a little too relaxed however. Everyone in the U.S. seems to be looking for the "shortcut" to success. "There must be an easier way," many Americans might say when confronted with a difficult or lengthy task. I think Americans have lost so
me of their grit. A recent book that I've been reading has had me thinking about the influence of religion on society. Without getting into any personal beliefs here, I just want to point out some glaring differences that many might find surprising. In the U.S., 95% of Americans claim to be religious and attend religious services frequently. In Japan, people only utilize religion (namely Buddhism and Shintoism) primarily for special cer
emonies and events. Religion isn't infused into daily life like it is in the U.S.. And yet, the rates of crime in the two countries contrast sharply. Crime in Japan seems almost nonexistent. I, for one, have never felt safer than I do right now. Do many Americans affiliate themselves with a particular religion because they think it looks like (when viewed by others) the moral and right thing to do? But do people really walk the walk and talk the talk? Is genuine religious devotion and practice the only route to a moral and sound lifestyle??? I don't know the answers, I'm just putting it out there for yall to chew on. Sorry, I'm starting to ramble. Let's clear some clutter.We're having our second and last guest (my friend Al) coming to visit in about two and a half weeks. We have an action packed itinerary planned. Shrines, Temples, Flower Parks, Tokyo nightlife, wineries, palaces, castles, fish markets, and hot springs are all on the agenda for his visit. Al, you're gonna have a good time, that's guaranteed.
I'll leave everyone with one last random fact to mull over. Did you know that more than one half of all young, unmarried adults in the U.S. now live with their parents? Mom, we'll be home (to your home) in a month and a half. See you then:)
p.s. The pix are of our Tokyo trip, my favorite teacher at my school (Sato sensei--sadly, she was transferred to a new school a few weeks ago), and some strange facial treatment that Veronica was giving herself.
