JANO (Japanese Association of Northern Ohio) held their annual Sakura picnic on June 6, 2010. Sakura is the Japanese word for Cherry tree or Cherry blossom.

Cherry trees donated by JANO (Japanese Association of Northern Ohio)

JANO has donated 130 cherry trees to the city of Cleveland. They can be found at Brookside Reservation (near the Metroparks Zoo).

Cherry trees donated by Cleveland JANO (Japanese Association of Northern Ohio)

They have reached the maximum amount of trees that can be planted in that area and are in the process of finding another spot to donate the beautiful trees.

The festivities began with a performance by Yume Daiko a Japanese precision taiko (drum) band.

Taiko, is traditional Japanese drumming. It is an ensemble of drums and has an intense, complicated rhythm/melody.

It was a memorable visual as well as auditory experience.

Yume Daiko

Consul Noriaki Toda came from Detroit to join the group and celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Consul Noriaki Toda

He spoke of the wonderful relationship between Cleveland and Japan.

In 1912, 3,000 Japanese cherry trees were given as a gift to President Taft (an Ohio native) as a sign of friendship by Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo.

To this day the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC is a wonderful reminder of the valued relationship between Japan and the United States.

Look for an even more spectacular celebration in 2012 with the 100th anniversary of the original gift.

Enjoy these photos from the JANO Sakura Picnic.

Consul Noriaki Toda

JANO President Fukuo Hashimoto

Robert Hawkins with Fukuo Hashimoto and Arisa Hawkins

Takayuki Suzuki and Yoshiko Saito of the Japanese Language School of Cleveland

Consul Noriaki Toda with Robert Hawkins and Hiroharu Sawada

Top of Page

Back to Cleveland Japanese

ClevelandPeople.com is sponsored in part by

Stay informed about
the news and special events
of the Group(s)
you choose by
signing up
for the free
ClevelandPeople.Com
e-newsletter

Follow ClevelandPeople
on Twitter

or Cleveland People on Facebook

Like the work
of ClevelandPeople.Com?
Contribute to the cause
via Paypal

Visit our
On-line Store
featuring Books, DVDs,
Music, Flags,
Clothes, Food
and more from our
various ethnic groups.

Browse over 8,000
ClevelandPeople
YouTube videos

Murder in the Cultural Gardens
Whodunit Mystery
by Dan Hanson
set in the
Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Murder in the Cultural Gardens book - order here

Japan Online Store

Japan Travel Guide

Fodor's Essential Japan

Lonely Planet Japan

Make It Japanese Cookbook

Japanese Cherry Blossom Tea

Japanese Girl T-shirt

Japan Flag

101 Asian Dishes
You Need to Cook
Before You Die

101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die

Made in Asian America:
A History for Young People

Made in Asian America: A History for Young People

JANO (Japanese Association of Northern Ohio)Annual Sakura picnic June 6, 2010

JANO (Japanese Association of Northern Ohio)
Annual Sakura picnic
June 6, 2010