From the Desk of Consul General Osumi

   April is cherry blossom season, and the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is here again.
Outside of foggy San Francisco, the Bay Area enjoys weather that is neither hot nor cold. This heavenly climate, with its many sunny days, is often cited as one of the reasons for Silicon Valley's prosperity. However, for Japanese people, the subtlety of seasonal changes here can feel lacking. Thankfully, the Cherry Blossom Festival allows us to experience the arrival of spring and reconnect with that sense of seasonality.

Cherry Blossoms, Mono no Aware, and the Cultural Heritage Passed Down by Women
   Cherry blossoms are a powerful symbol of Japan. Revered since ancient times, they have inspired countless songs and poems. Motoori Norinaga, an 18th-century scholar known as a founder of classical studies, wrote a tanka in response to the question: what is the spirit of Japan?
 
   The beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom is breathtaking. However, the fluttering of cherry blossoms in the spring breeze evokes an emotional response as well. Motoori Norinaga called this natural feeling mono no aware ("the pathos of things,” or beauty found in ephemerality). Donald Keene, one of America's foremost scholars of Japan, wrote that "the importance of quickly fading beauty, the subtle nuances surrounding casual language, and all the other characteristics of literature written by the feminine sensibility of the Heian period became the legacy of the Japanese people as a whole."

   On April 6th, we honored the 2024 Queens and Princesses who completed their year of service (thank you once again!) and welcomed the incoming 2025 Queens and Princesses. In my speech to them, I introduced the concept of mono no aware and shared my hope that these women will fly high as leaders of the next generation. Like those who came before them, may they act not only for themselves but also with a spirit of public service, upholding the unique literary and aesthetic ideals of Japanese culture.
 

The Grand Parade
   The Grand Parade of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival was held on April 20th.
Parade participants gathered at San Francisco City Hall for a photo session that set a celebratory tone for the day. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined in, helping to energize the event, and I was deeply impressed by the enthusiastic participation of so many community groups. Personally, I was moved by the presence of numerous organizations supporting Japanese language education—a key focus of ours—and representatives from sister cities. I was especially struck by the period costume procession by the Redwood Kyudo Dojo, participating in the parade for the first time.

   The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco was tenth in the lineup, out of 45 groups in total. Around 30 consulate staff members and their families joined the parade, all wearing happi coats. We walked a mile from City Hall to Japantown under the bright spring sun, surrounded by smiling faces and laughter. It was an unforgettable experience.

 

   This year, the Executive Committee extended a special invitation to Consuls General from various countries to join Festival VIPs on the bleachers to watch the remainder of the parade. My wife, who often introduces friends from other consulates to Japantown on weekends, said they were amazed by the scale and excitement of the festival, which far exceeded the usual weekend bustle. The Dutch Consul General and his wife remarked that "The beauty of Japan lies in its festivals." I was also pleased to introduce them to Ms. Seiko Fujimoto, a community marshal and representative of the hibakusha community. It felt meaningful to add a touch of international exchange to this culturally rich event.

   Finally, the highlight of the day: the appearance of the taru mikoshi, the portable shrine carried by a crowd of participants! With energetic cheers from the crowd, the parade came to a joyous close. A representative from the European Union commented, "The mikoshi was divine, and everyone along the route was smiling. This shows the strength of the community. It’s wonderful that Japantown exists here in San Francisco and continues to thrive." I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. Let us continue to honor and preserve the legacy and spirit of the Cherry Blossom Festival.


 

San Jose Nikkei Matsuri
   On April 27, I attended the San Jose Nikkei Matsuri. It was as if I carried San Francisco’s overcast skies all the way to San Jose. San Jose Japantown welcomed my wife and me, as well as Deputy Consul General Ishihara and his wife, with a heartwarming atmosphere. I was touched to be greeted by so many people.

　The San Jose Nikkei Matsuri originated as several separate festivals, but the organizers joined forces to create one event. After Covid, the original members retired, and now the festival is mainly run by young people. I was told that the leaders of each festival have embraced their differences and creativity, ushering in a new era of revival. The number of dancers of Bon Odori has grown from 10 to 150. I was really energized by these stories!

   On the 24th, we had dinner with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan in Japantown, where we were joined by community members, business leaders, and the San Jose-Okayama Sister City Association. We discussed the possibility of visiting Japan for the 70th anniversary of the sister city relationship next year, and I showed them a brochure about sightseeing in Okayama City, and he showed great interest. We also talked about the Japanese businesses developing in San Jose. I explained that a special exhibit on San Jose Japantown is being held at the JICA Migrant Museum in Yokohama until the end of June. The Mayor expressed his appreciation for the strength of the Japanese American community in San Jose.
 

Manzanar Memorial Service
   On April 26th, the day before the San Jose Nikkei Matsuri, I attended the 56th Manzanar Memorial service. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (JCCNC) sponsors a tour every two years. It was sunny and hot two years ago, I heard, and even though it was already late April, the weather was unfortunately rainy, with thick clouds completely covering the mountains and strong winds blowing through. It brought to mind the hardships endured by the Japanese Americans who were forcibly interned here during World War II, in a place known for being too cold in winter and too hot in summer. Manzanar is the only one of the ten major incarceration sites in the U.S. to be designated a National Historic Site, and it is well-maintained for preservation and remembrance. More than 2,000 people gathered in the wilderness for a large ceremony. I joined JCCNC President Gomi in offering flowers at the memorial marker. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Given the current domestic and international situation, the event was very well attended. The night before, I had dinner with JCCNC members at an izakaya-style restaurant in L.A. I was impressed by their awareness of, and commitment to recognizing and understanding, the hardships experienced by Japanese Americans. In May, the training ship Itsukushima of the Japan Coast Guard Academy will cross the Pacific Ocean, making San Francisco its first port of call. The captain of the training ship and the JCG cadets aboard will visit the Colma Japanese Cemetery and the Military Intelligence Service Learning Center in the Presidio, both of which I mentioned in Consul General's Essay 16. I hope that we can share with everyone in this region the importance of passing on our history to future generations.