"Hanami" is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms, known in Japanese as sakura. From mid-January to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two. Most parties occur during the day and are traditionally bar-be-ques under the blossoms. Some few parties occur at night, with paper lanterns lit by candles strung through the boughs of the trees and if the host can afford it, maiko (geisha in training) and geisha serving the guests.

The cherry-blossoming period is so important in most of Japan that it marks the beginning of the scholastic and fiscal years, with welcoming hanami parties. One of the best places in Japan to attend a hanami and enjoy the beauty of sakura is in Kyoto.

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For the night of the hanami, the roof of the Zen Gardens Building has been transformed into a magical Japanese garden. The chess tables, painting easels and telescope that normally sit out for residents' use have been put away, to be replaced by three long buffet tables covered with food, and many smaller tables surrounded by chairs, at which guests can sit and relax, chat and sample the traditional food. The full bar is also located here and is manned by two bartenders, skilled at mixing just about anything one could want, though their specialties are Midori sours and picking the perfect sake to accompany whatever one is eating.

The dance floor is a wide open space across from the eating area, with DJ Zen's turntable tucked under a large cherry tree, which is dripping with soft pink blossoms. Each of the cherry trees' trunks have been circled 'round with faerie lights and have paper lanterns burning candles in their boughs. The paths that twist and wind through the gardens have been lined with more paper lanterns as well.

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The same gaggle of Geisha and maiko are on hand to help the guests with whatever they need. Despite some Western assumptions that "geisha" is synonymous with "prostitute", the opposite is quite true. Geisha are trained in entertainment - political discussions, poetry recitation, dance and musical instruments. They are consummate flirts, but will go no further than this.

http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/Hatsu-Hana/Zen%20Gardens/maiko.jpg

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Guests are greeted at the entrance to the building by two ten-foot high Fu Dog guardian statues. If a guest attempts to enter the building carrying a weapon of any time, the statues will come to life and bar entrance. Additional security measures include Warrior, Priest and Poet stones in the gardens themselves. These stones prohibit any sort of violence, ensuring a safe and pleasurable party for everyone.

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out tonight! I had a total blast I hope you guys did, too. You all have wee pressies in your inventories - just a little thank you for playing! If you were at the hanami and didn't receive a sakura blossom, please let me know!

Thanks again to everyone! Y'all ROCK!

Ditto to what Collie-mun said. Darcy and I had a blast! ^_^

I had a blast the short time I was there Riley. As for Shadow? He'll stop by to thank you in person. - Wiggles brows. -