Spring is a very happy time in Japan. After winter the first blossoms are a welcome site.

Spring is also the time of year when the school year ends, so students are happy too, to have successfully completed another year of their education. For the 6th graders at Ohsawa School, this is a very important spring because they will now graduate from elementary school and begin junior high school!

Spring also brings with it many delightful holidays. In the begining of March (3) is Hina Matsuri or the doll festival. It is a special holiday for girls. May (5) was called boy's day, but is now more commonly called children's day. On this day the carp flags are hung from the roof tops. They represent the family. In years past there was a carp added for each boy.

Spring is also time to view the cherry blossoms. This tradition is across Japan, and some even travel from one end of the country to the other, following the blooming of the trees. There are over 120 different varieties of cherry tree in Japan.

Washington D.C., USA, has 3,000 beautiful Yoshino cherry trees that were given to the city from Mayor Yokio Ozaki of Tokyo in 1912. The yearly festival is late March to early May.

Around the world people, but especially in countries where winter 'hides' many living things, people rejoice at the coming of spring.

EVEN the birds are happy; Listen to the Bush Warbler singing in Japan.

Photos and sound: Ohsawa school
Background: Naama, Banner: Ido, Ein Ganim school
Text & active links: GlobalDreamers & Cyberteen archive