Hanami
is in September in south-eastern Australia. Trees, isolated in back gardens or
in rough rows making orchards in the hills, suddenly transform with white and
pink cherry blossom. Hanami is unknown in Australia, viewings in which half the
population organise picnics under cherry trees, viewings that youths sometimes
turn into riotous parties. Nor do we hear sakura-zensen, cherry blossom forecasts
that accompany the weather report. Breakfast show announcers, who laugh at
their own jokes, do not rivet our attention with updates about cherry blossom.
Half the population couldn’t identify a cherry tree, if asked, either before or
after blossoming.
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