All Abloom in Georgia

By Mercie Hallow

Cherry blossoms are widely situated in Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, Korea and Philippines. Cherry blossoms or its Japanese counterpart name Sakura is a pink flowering tree. It is very symbolical and an icon widely used in Japan and China. It is always mentioned in songs, films and lyrical plays where it symbolizes love, beauty and friendship. Cherry blossoms are also found in other countries such as Germany, United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Sakura or Yoshino cherries in the United States are located at the Sakura Park in Manhattan. History tells that the cherry blossoms are actually a gift from Japan to US on 1912 as a symbol of the two countrys friendship. Well, that was before the Pearl Harbor bombing at least. Japan reportedly donated 3,020 pieces of Yoshino trees to United States where it was then planted at the Sakura Park in Manhattan. The park continues to draw in tourists up to the moment.

The Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia is an event commemorative to the 300,000 pieces of Yoshino trees in Macon. This town is indeed the cherry blossom capital of America where it gathers locals and tourists from near and far to witness and commemorate this annual event. How the Cherry blossoms in Macon, Georgia got into existence is indeed a unique and warming history to tell.

Yoshino cherries in Macon has a history as rich as its trees. In 1949 a horticulturist named William Fickling Sr. upon discovering a Yoshino cherry tree in his backyard. He happened to chance upon the same tree again while visiting in Washington and thus began his quest to plant as many as possible with the help of his enthusiastic neighbors.

Carolyn Crayton, a female philanthropist learned about this mission and upon seeing how beautiful these trees were, invited Fickling to plant the same trees in her hometown. Soon the 300,000 cherry blossoms began in existence at the very heart of Georgia.

About the Author:

Mercie Hallow is a writer and a researcher on events in Travel and Leisure. Visiting events such as the Georgia craft fairs will open ones spirit on the beauty of the world beyond home's borders. If youre staying in Georgia, the author suggests checking out the Georgia craft shows for entertainments to make your stay worthwhile.

Japan And Her Unique Culture

By Ron Otaku

Japan as a country has a cultural background that is wide ranging and special. A growing number of people have taken fancy to a culture that has a unique ability to pique a person's interest and pull them in deeper. The Japanese are now known more for their fascinating exports that grew from an age of modernization than anything else.

This cannot be more true than in her export of fashion. The Japanese never rest on their laurels and are always on the cutting edge when it comes to designing and dressing up. This has meant becoming an industry leader especially in the surrounding regions.

Fashion in Japan has huge variety. There is the popular street fashion that is copied in other Asian cities like Seoul and Singapore, while Western youth have taken to it readily. The more off-center Japanese Cosplay and Kogal fashions also enjoy hardcore cult followings all over the world due to the explosion of anime's popularity.

J pop, or Japanese pop music as it is also known as, is another product of the modernization of Japan. It initially drew on Western influences to build an identity of its own. Now, J pop is constantly lapped up by adoring fans all over the world, even in the United States and Europe.

The Japanese language has also prospered as more foreigners are taking up lessons in order to understand the various Japanese hobbies they have. Music is one such area where fans have flocked to take up courses so they can know what their favorite J-pop stars are singing about.

The more artistic cultures have also had their own followings throughout history. Japanese calligraphy and artists have their own distinct flavors. They are not found in similar forms in other Asian countries, which is why fans sometimes prefer them.

There is an overriding obsession with cute and kitschy items in Japan. This has grown from their mentality and fondness for them since the modernization of the country gathered pace. The need to export also led to a heavy concentration on unique designs which eventually developed into a national identity that focused on cuteness.

The above are just some of the unique features about Japanese culture. They are also amongst the most popular ones that are often used to identify the country and her people. With such fascinating traits and exotic charm, there is much more waiting for you to learn about them.

About the Author:

Ron Otaku is a huge fan of J pop and spends countless hours reviewing the latest releases. Find out more about Nani Tanimura who is set to feature more prominently this year according to Ron.