#DSGS - Cherry Blossom

It's been TOO LONG since we gave away some free swag, so we're back!

Spring has sprung, and to celebrate playing outside again, we're asking you to show us your blossoms.

POST A PHOTO of any kendama near a cherry blossom (or any other springtime nature) to be entered to win! We'll pick our favorite on MARCH 31st.

Winner gets this one of a kind PINEAPPLE / @KendamaUSA mash up.
It's a maple Kaizen 2.0 that is honed for lunars with cherry red stripe pineapple tama.
Go!
contest open to active DS users worldwide, void where prohibited.

 

HERE ARE SOME CHERRY BLOSSOM FACTS:

-Cherry blossom ice cream is a real thing.

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The Japanese love cherry blossoms so much, they've turned them into an ice cream flavor.


-Picnicking beneath cherry blossom trees is a Japanese tradition.

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The century-old custom is known as "hanami," which means flower viewing. Early scripture hints that the tradition began with emperors and members of the Imperial Palace.

-Peak bloom is usually around April 4.

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Defined as the day when 70 percent of Toshino cherry trees are open, peak bloom varies each year with the mean date April 4 in Washington, D.C. The blooming period can lasto 14 days.
7Cherry trees can be huge.

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An average Japanese cherry tree is around 25 feet tall, while some can grow to 50 feet tall with a 40-foot wide canopy. With some TLC, these trees can reach 75 feet in their native habitat.

-"Hanami" picnics are arguably more spectacular at night.

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For these late-night picnics, known as "yozakura," the Japanese hang paper lanterns in cherry blossom trees to illuminate them.

-Cherry blossom festivals celebrate more than just spring.

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It's likely that you've been to a cherry blossom festival before. According to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C., the flower is celebrated as a symbol for the friendship between Japan and the U.S.

-U.S. cherry blossom trees date back to 1912.

Japan sent the trees to the U.S. to represent friendship and goodwill. In 1915, we reciprocated by sending flowering dogwood trees to Japan.

-Japan had tried to send over cherry blossoms once before.

In 1910, U.S. inspectors from the Department of Agriculture recommended burning this gift from the Japanese after finding insects and diseases in the trees. According to Washingtonian, this nearly caused a diplomatic crisis.

-Bloom predictions can't be made too far in advance.

Want to catch cherry blossoms in all their glory? You'll want to wait until March, when bloom predictions are made, to plan your trip.

-They make up the best-selling fragrance in the U.S.

The top perfume in the U.S. at one point was Bath and Body Works' Japanese Cherry Blossom. Thirty million units of the mixture of cherry blossoms, crisp pears, mimosa petals, and sweet sandalwood are sold each year.

-In Japan, this is the most iconic view of cherry blossoms.

The image, cherry blossoms framing Mount Fuji, is a common postcard view, thanks to its lake-surrounded location.

In the U.S., we most often associate cherry blossoms with our nation's capital.

National landmarks surrounded by spring flowers attract visitors to Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin each spring.

-Neither D.C. nor Japan hold the title of "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World."

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Rather, it's Macon, Georgia, which is home to 300,000-plus Yoshino cherry blossom trees. While these trees obviously are not native to the South, William A. Fickling Sr., a local realtor, discovered one in his own backyard in 1949. On a business trip to Washington, D.C., he learned more about cherry blossoms and sought to bring more to his hometown.

-Cherry blossoms are said to be native to the Himalayas.

According to the Huffington Post, these flowers likely originated somewhere in Eurasia before migrating to Japan.

-There are 200 different varieties of cherry blossom.

In Japan, the most popular variety is "Somei Yoshino." In the U.S., mainly Yoshino hybrids line the Tidal Basin, National Mall, and Potomac waterfront.

They aren't always pink.

The Takesimensis variety, known for its white flowers, is actually more common than you might think in the U.S. Other blossoms change colors throughout the blooming period, such as Ukon, which go from greenish yellow to white before turning pink.

Each tree may only bloom for up to a week.

While cherry blossom season usually lasts about a month, from the time the first to the last tree blooms, each individual tree may only flower for about a week. Trees usually live for 30 to 40 years.

 

Just for reference, not part of the contest. It's from last year at the Tama River.

 

three entries!?

 

Maybe they're waiting for some inspiration. The Sakura just opened up a couple days ago here. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯