April is the new Pink!

April is the new Pink!

Photo credit: Courtesy of Japan Embassy

Nothing shouts pink louder than the obsession with Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC during the month of April. A little history here: “Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries.  In a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. Over the years, gifts have been exchanged between the two countries.” Cherry Blossom Festival

Ambassador and Mrs. Sasae welcome guests to the Residence

This year’s obsession was no exception. The blossoms opened, the blossoms closed, the blossoms fell – the sacred blossoms watch was practically a matter of national security.  Would they survive the cold weather? They did.

Guests were welcomed to the Japan Embassy to celebrate along side Cherry Blossom Princesses, cabinet members, the social list, journalists and politicos and a surprise appearance of Ivanka Trump with her children.

Ivanka Trump

Kenichiro and Nobuko Sasae are considered to be the creme de la creme of the diplomatic community and are known for their warmth, sense of humor and cross cultural engagement.

Hollywood on the Potomac sat down with Ambassador Sasae a few years ago to discuss the importance of the Cherry Blossoms:

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