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Saturday, March 19, 2022    Cherry Blossom Day in Salem

 
​In 2017 Senate Bill 146 was passed making the third Saturday of March Cherry Blossom Day in Salem. This year it happens to be the day before Spring officially begins! Cherry Blossom Day celebrates the beginning of spring with its show of pink color splashed across the 151 Akebono cherry trees in the Capitol Mall, and the recognition of the impact and influence of the Japanese culture on our state.  

​ Oregon State Capitol Foundation​ is the presenting sponsor of Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol and this year we are posting rich digital content for the entire month here and on our social media channels Facebook and Instagram. 
 

THANK YOU TO OUR CHERRY BLOSSOM DAY PARTNERS:

Capitol Community Media
City of Salem
Cove Cherry Fair
Deepwood Museum and Gardens
Hood River Cherry Festival
Japanese-America Society of Oregon 
Japanese National Honor Society
Masumi Timson
Monmouth Taiko
Nana Bellerud​
North Salem High School
Oregon Parks and Recreation 
Oregon State Capitol Foundation​
Salem Kawagoe Sister Cities
Salem Multicultural Institute and Worldbeat Festival
Tokyo International University of America
Urasenke Wakai Tea Association
Willamette Heritage Center
Willamette University
​​Willamette Valley Bonsai Society​
Yamasa Corporation​

 

COMPILATION OF CHERRY BLOSSOM DAY (2015-2019)

This video is a compilation of the previous five years of Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol live events. Enjoy! Produced by Capital Community Media.

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FREE CHERRY BLOSSOM
COLORING PAGE

This is a fun activity for the little ones! Download and print off your free copy here. ​​

Masumi Timson

 


KOTO MUSIC​

 Koto, a Japanese instrument, played by  Masumi Timson. ​In this video she plays "Sakura" which translates into cherry blossom. This version was composed by Tadao Sawai. Videotaping was provided by Yuko Donahe. 
To learn more about Masumi​ Timson visit her website: www.masumi-koto.com​.

Nana Bellerud 

 


​IKEBANA

Ikebana (生け花, 活け花, "arranging flowers" or "making flowers alive") is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is also known as Kadō (華道, "way of flowers"). The tradition dates back to Heian period, when floral offerings were made at altars. All the arrangements in the video above were done by our cultural partner, Nana Bellerud. ​

Salem Kawagoe Sister Cities

 

REFLECTIONS ON
​CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Mission: The Salem-Kawagoe Sister Cities is dedicated to developing friendly and meaningful relations with Kawagoe City and also with Japan. This interchange between the two cities furthers international understanding at all levels on a long term basis. We sponsor international exchanges with Kawagoe for adults and schools, and promote educational programs that increase our community’s understanding of the Japanese culture.​

 

STORYTELLING

Listen to the story of Peach Boy (Momotaro), adapted from a Japanese Folktale by Phil Berman, illustrated by Gabriela Issa Chacon. Narrated by Masumi & Stephen Timson, Koto Music by Masumi Timson.

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MUSIC

Join our friends at Kotori Japanese Music, from Portland. In this video the have put a new musical twist on the Japanese folk song "Sakura, Sakura." Adding a Spanish influence! ​


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ARTISTS IN ACTION PARASOL PARADE​

2017-2019 local artists, through Artists in Action, decorated paper parasols that were displayed in local downtown businesses in the month of March. We hope to start this tradition again after the pandemic. ​

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