I submitted two haiku to the Sakura Haiku Challenge of the Consulate-General in Toronto, Canada and they are both included in the beautiful anthology. Free to read and download: 👇🏽
This review, at a popular site for people interested in Japan, could serve as a guide to watching the new documentary about Japanese hostess bars. It's a new genre for me, although I have some background in journalism: https://japanned.hcommons.org/journalism
The large temple complex Ninna-ji (仁和寺) in Kyōto was founded by Emperor Uda in 888 in the early Heian Period, and for most of its history its head priest was an Imperial family member. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has its own school of Shingon Buddhism and brand of sakura cherry trees (see photos). The stone Buddhas are off by the east entrance and missed by most visitors. The violet azaleas go well with the white cherry blossoms.
With all the Sakura posts recently, I dug up some photos from a Japan visit in 2006.
This little toy monkey (🐵 “Mister Osaru”) traveled with us, and appeared in a number of fun photos. #japan#sakura
Today's picture is without contest the cherry blossoms! They have arrived everywhere in town and most of the country.
Expect more of them in the coming days.