Sakura

Van Dusen Gardens during Sakura Days

"Sakura" is the Japanese word for cherry blossom.

Vancouver is known for its cherry blossoms in the spring; so is Japan.

In Japanese hanatokoba, the cherry blossom symbolizes the transience of life, something especially bittersweet in light of recent events in Japan.....

haiku entry from earlier blossom festival
at Van Dusen Gardens

One of the more popular origami designs is the crane.

There is a Japanese legend that whoever folds a 1000 cranes will have their heart's wish come true.  All over Vancouver, people are helping Japan in many ways and folding origami cranes as a gesture of support.

You can help, too:  http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000043&tid=016

or any way you can....

including attending the Sakura Days Festival at

Van Dusen Gardens: http://www.japanfairvancouver.com/