花見 in USA?

A number of years ago, Japan gave America 桜の木 (Cherry blossom trees) as a symbol of friendship.

They’re planted in Washington DC.

桜 (Cherry blossoms) are very popular in Japan. They are a symbol of Spring in Japan.
Japanese love them not only for their beauty…but also their fragility. They only stay in bloom for a week or so…and then gently fall to the ground like a beautiful pink snowfall. They’re like a symbol of the beauty and shortness of life.

Every Spring, Japanese people sit under the 桜の木 (Cherry blossom trees) to have a picnic together and enjoy the view.
It’s called 「花見」 (Hanami)…or “Cherry Blossom Viewing”.

I was surprised that America has Japanese-style 花見 (Cherry Blossom Viewing) festivals every Spring in Washington DC under the 桜の木 (Cherry blossom trees) from Japan.

Are these festivals popular in America like they are in Japan? Have you ever been?

At this year’s 花見 (Cherry Blossom Viewing) festival in Washington DC on March 28, Jero will be performing.

Jero is a 27-year old Enka singer.

Enka is a traditional Japanese blues type music that is popular mostly with older Japanese people.

So, it’s surprising that Jero is a young Enka singer. But more surprising is that he’s a black American. And he sings Enka while dressed in hip-hop fashion (Enka singers usually wear 着物 (kimono).

ジェロ (Jero)

I wrote a post about Jero before. Click here to read it.

KISSOLOGY in Japan

Gene Simmons is on the cover of this month issue of Burrn! magazine again.

Gene Simmons is the bass player in my favorite rock band, KISS. And Burrn! magazine is Japan’s best hard rock / heavy metal magazine.

The reason Gene Simmons is on the current cover of Burrn! is because KISS‘s comprehensive DVD set called “KISSology” will be released here in Japan this month.

KISSology vol.1

KISSology vol 2

KISSology vol 3

Thanks to my friend Masa for letting me know about this.
(BTW, I first met Masa ten years ago this week! (Masa, let’s go out for a beer soon!)).