Celebrate cherry blossom season at the Arboretum
It’s haru time! The Dallas Arboretum is partnering with the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth to celebrate both the beginning of spring (aka haru) and the centuries-old custom of hanami. Hanami is a Japanese custom that literally translates to “flower viewing.” As its name suggests, the tradition centers on enjoying a flower’s beauty, particularly the sakura or cherry blossoms, which are just beginning to bloom in the garden.
The beautiful pink-tinted flowering of the cherry blossom has been celebrated for centuries in Japan, and this year the Arboretum has about 150 sakura trees that are beginning to bloom. The blossom viewing celebration has been rescheduled to take place Sunday, March 23, from 12:30 to 2:30PM.
Visitors are invited to enjoy a traditional Japanese hanami experience and to bring their own picnic lunch and dine underneath the beautiful blooms while listening to live music from both koto (floor harp) and shakuhachi (Japanese flute). In addition to the music, there will also be family activities such as calligraphy, origami and coloring.
Hanami dates back to the Heian Period, when flowers were used as a metaphor for life—beautiful yet fleeting. The blossoms themselves typically last about 10 days, so a chance to see them in bloom is a short-lived opportunity.
Once the celebration is over, return to the gardens to view the stunning landscapes you might have overlooked, and enjoy all nature has to offer.
The Hanami celebration is free and takes place in the Jonsson Color Garden. Regular parking and admission prices to the Arboretum apply. See below for event details.
Stage program:
12:30–1PM Shakuhachi music by Stan Richardson
1–1:05PM Welcome remarks by Steve Mullen
1:20–1:50PM Shakuhachi music by Stan Richardson
2–2:20PM Choral music by Cosmos Japanese Women’s Choir
Furoshiki demonstrations:
1:10 and 1:50 PM
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