The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-04-19
EASTER IN JAPAN.
The Cherry Blossom Festival, Res0R.
rectiOn Of Fruits and Flowers.

VmS merry BlOA8Om ke0tnV0As txcOOke
rection of Fruits and Flower.
BY reaching Japan just at the begin
ming Of spring you will find yourself In
the mi.lat of the native Easter season,
which in reality Is the cherry blossom
festival. Because it ONE at the time
that Easter is celebrated in the western
countries it is given that name.
The dawn of Easter in Japan Is a
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 a 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, it is the resurrection of the
fruits and flowers.
All Japan rejoices. The children have
q day set apart for their special delec-
tation. and the grown people do little
but seek to make the young people hap
py. Along the rOadways, inch deep
with fallen cherry petals. the children
draw immense movable temples. Some
times more than Il hundred little girls
dressed in gorgeous hues are in line,
pulling on the ropes attached to these
chariots. on which the boys, dressed in
blue and white togas. ride and play OH
their musical Instruments, while the
cleverest Of their number in masked
faces render religious dramas OH 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,
ana as the chariot and the children
pass down Il carpetcd ven Of cher.
ry trees. and the gentle spring breeze
blows, Il constant shower of pink per.
famed snow falls from the cherry trees
and everything becomes haZy in the
enhancing mist of Il pink snowstorm
Of soft petals. All nature seems to take
part in this Easter festival Of the Jap.
anesc children.
Cherry blossom Sunday" ut Uyeno
park. in Tokyo, is II Of the prettiest
sights in all Japan. The cnu of cher.
ry trees going up from the town forms
an exquisite arch of pink boughs. under
which the people throng purely on
pleasure bent.
The tea houses have spread theil
best red blankets on the matted plat
forms. which serve for seat and table
Carriages and jinrikishas roll by, theft
occupants dressed in their best, tho
women in eXquisitely delicate grapes
because it is the time of spring an(
flowers. and the light and dainty col
ors are most appropriate. Under thu
trees are light hearted picnic parties
seated ON their blankets and lunchin.
on rice sandwiches.
Restraint is thrown aside durin,
''cherry time," and Mt Mukojima, wher,
q double avenue Of cherry trees, TIN
most magnificent display Of these love
" blossoms in Tokyo, stretches along
the far bank Of the Sumida river be
side the road, the widest carniva
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 tn,
tea houses that stand along the banl
Nn1nr. tho tl.noS Tho rivnr. Ia cav Will
rooted pleasure boats. and the sount
Of the geisha's samisen is added to til,
general clalnor of rejoicing and merry
m"aking.-WaShingtOn Star.