Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1905-04-20
EASTER IN JAPAN.

The Cherry Blossom Festival, Resur-
rection of Fruits and Flowers.
BY reaching Japan just at the begin
ming of spring you will find yourself in
the midst of the native Easter season,
which In reality is the cherry blossom
festival. Because 1t comes at the time
that Easter is celebrated In the western
countries 1t is given that name.
The dawn Of Easter in Japan is n
dazzling and fascinating sight even to
an American, used as he Is to the great
display of flowers and bright and dain-
ty costumes that come out on that day
in all the cities In the United States to
welcome the season.
The Japanese are like Il lot Of happy
school children let out to play, happy in
their religious flower festival. None Of
the church ceremonies has any part in
their celebration, and although the
cherry festival commentaries the res
direction, 1t Is the resurrection Of the
fruits and flowers.
All Japan rejoices. The children have
a day set apart for their special delec-
tation, and the grown people do little
but seek to make the young people hap
by. Along the rOadways, inch deep
with fallen cherry petals, the children
draw immense movable temples. Some
times moro than Il hundred little girls
dressed in gorgeous hues are In line,
pulling OH The ropes attached to these
chariots, ON which the boys, dressed in
blue and white togas, ride and play on
their musical instruments, while the
cleverest of their number in masked
faces render religious dramas on the
elevated platform in front of the char
lot.
The streets are choked with thou
sands of grown people, who give up the
day to witnessing these professions,
and as the chariot and the children
pass down a carpeted avenue of cher
ry trees, and the gentle spring breeze
blows, q constant shower Of pink per-
fumed snow falls from the cherry trees
and everything becomes hazy In the
enhancing mist Of pink snowstorm
Of soft petals. All nature seems to take
part In this Easter festival of the Jap
anese children.
Cherry blossom Sunday" at Uyeno
park, in Tokyo, is one Of the prettiest
sights in all Japan. The avenue Of cher
thu PnpY1nu
an exquisite arch Of pink boughs, under
which the people throng purely on
pleasure bent.
The tea houses have spread their
best red blankets on the matted plat
forms, which serve for seat and table.
Carriages and jinrikishas roll by, their
occupants dressed in their best, the
women in exquisitely delicate grapes,
because 1t is the time Of spring and
flowers, and the light and dainty col
ors are most appropriate. Under the
trees are light hearted picnic parties
seated on their blankets and lunching
on rice sandwiches.
Restraint Is thrown aside during
CHERRY time" and at Mukojima, where
a double avenue Of cherry trees, the
most magnificent display Of these love
ly blossoms in Tokyo, stretches along
the far bank of the Sumida river be-
side the road, the widest carnival
reigns. Mummers in all sorts of fan
tastic costumes, in which red and white,
the colors of spring and happiness, pre-
dominate, dance in and out among the
tea houses that stand along the bank
under the trees. The river is gay with
rooted pleasure boats, and the sound
Of the geishas samisen is added to the
general clamor of rejoicing and merry
making -Washington Star