Cherry Blossom Viewing

In early April, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom here in Matsue. These snaps were taken in the grounds of Matsue Castle. Here many families, friends and entourages of businesspeople, hot in their black suits, thronged the castle gardens and pitched their blue plastic sheets beneath the fluffy boughs of cherry trees for the yearly festivity of hanami (cherry blossom viewing). Some companies sent junior employees ahead to claim a prized spot and sleep in the sun upon their private little sea of blue tarp. Picnickers brought bento lunchboxes and eskies of chu-hi or beer. My friend bought a can of Lafcadio Hearn beer, whilst I supped decadently on sakura (cherry or cherry tree) chu-hi.*

* A deadly potion of alcoholic pop and seasonal flavours, very cheap at 100 yen - or 1.20 in the old currency.