Monday, April 15, 2013

Cherry Blossom Festival

This was the 1st weekend of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown. Of course food is the biggest draw, & there was a long, snaking line for the takoyaki.

The origami exhibit was a bit patchy this year, but I loved this sculptural fist holding a square of paper. Volunteers teach visitors to fold simpler models, & a young couple asked me to take a picture of them holding their creations.

In the exhibit of washi ningyo, a Japanese version of paper dolls, I was delighted by this graceful figure in bare feet, made by Teruko Yonemura.

I always discover something wacky in the ikebana exhibit. This arrangement, by Kodo Brown, incorporates cut up plastic plates.

This costumed character's unusual dance moves attracted a small crowd.

The cheerful name of this cult seems to be a direct translation from the Japanese.

And the Asian Art Museum's Lost Warrior showed up for photo ops.

§ Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday and Sunday, April 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 2013
Japantown @ Post & Buchanan Streets, San Francisco

§ Grand Parade

Sunday, April 21, 2013
Starts City Hall at 1 pm
Ends Japantown approximately 3 pm

2 comments:

Civic Center said...

What's the Lost Chinese Warrior doing in Japantown? I'm confused.

Good coverage, by the way.

Axel Feldheim said...

Thanks! I have no idea what the Lost Warrior was doing there either, but people are certainly still eager to have their picture taken with him.