2019 / Glendale: Seishoan Tea House to host “The Sakura Obsession” lecture by a speaker from London, Apr. 21
As a followup to very exciting, and successful, Cherry Blossom Festival at the Shoseian Tea House in Brand Park, Glendale, California, the Friends of Shoseian will have a guest lecturer from London on Sunday, April 21 to give a presentation on the importance of the cherry blossom itself.
If you did not get the chance to visit the tea house during the Cherry Blossom Festival, this would be a great time to come and see the newly-remodeled Shoseian Tea House. It has truly been an amazing transformation.
This event is free. No RSVP is required
“The Sakura Obsession”
Guest Lecturer: Ms. Naoko Abe
Japanese journalist based in London
Sunday, April 21, 2019
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The remarkable history of the Japanese cherry blossom tree
Cherry blossoms originated in Japan more than 2,000 years ago, and can now be seen all over the world. The role of sakura in Japanese history has been checkered and not always positive.
The guest speaker will explain how the incredible diversity of cherry blossoms, which evolved during the two centuries.
Ms. Naoko Abe will explain how and why cherry varieties became in danger of extinction after Japan became focused on modernization and industrialization, and how an English plant hunter, Collingwood Ingram, warned Japan’s elite in 1926 that the nation was in danger of losing these national treasures.
Ms. Abe will also talk about how cherry blossoms were used as an ideological symbol during the Pacific War. And she’ll give a brief history of how Japanese cherries came to the U.S. and spread throughout the country.
Ms. Abe’s latest book, THE SAKURA OBSESSION – The Incredible Story of the Plant Hunter Who Saved Japan’s Cherry Blossoms is available from Penguin Random House
This lecture is co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Los Angeles.
Friends of Shoseian is a non-profit IRC Section 501 (c)(3) organization. Contributions can be tax deductible under IRC Section 170. http://shoseianteahouse.com
