under the northern blossoms

A workshop with Sam Abell and George Nobechi

“Hanami” is the tradition in Japan of celebrating the arrival of Spring with food and drink under the cherry blossoms. The first mentions of this practice date back to the year 812 in the imperial court of Nara. The cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan and it represents the impermanence of life and the cycle of the seasons and fragile beauty of nature.

In the north of Japan the snow is deep and the winters long, so when Spring finally arrives it brings great joy for the people. The ubiquitous blue tarps that serve as picnic sheets are laid out under the trees and it is common to see three or even four generations within one family celebrating together under the soft, pink flowers.

Festivals are also a common sight at this time of year, as dozens of fair stalls are erected and vendors hawk wares that range from fried noodles and corn dogs to ramen noodles, toys and even goldfish or turtles. These stalls are often shrouded in translucent plastic sheeting which can lead to abstract photographic opportunities, and by sundown they emit their own fluorescent glow, providing atmospheric settings in which to work.

As is our (Sam’s and George’s) preferred mode of travel, our journey will prominently feature trains—from the ultra-modern and remarkable bullet trains to efficient commuter trains and rural diesel trains.

In summary, this journey is not a macro flower photographer’s journey, rather it is intended to foster the poet in you as you discover the world and life that unfolds Under the Northern Blossoms.

This trip is sold out.

To be alerted on similar trips in the future, please fill out the form below.