Brainstorm 293: Sakura Festival Reads

Mid-March marks the start of Sakura season in Japan when the cherry blossoms bloom so I thought it was a fitting time to share some Sakura festival-related books. Click on the titles to see my full reviews of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Japanese Traditions: Rice Cakes, Cherry Blossoms and Matsuri: a Year of Seasonal Japanese Festivities by Setsu Broderick and Willamarie Moore, ill. by Setsu Broderick

Satsu Broderick shares with readers what it was like to grow up in the countryside of Japan, and the festivals, holidays, seasonal events, foods, and other common activities celebrated/joined in each month of the year. Following an overview of typical events/weather/festivities during each month there's a spread pointing out objects/foods in the illustrations readers may not be familiar with or diving deeper into what is involved in certain festivals.

If you want to learn more about Sakura festivals turn to the April section of this book.

Target Readers:

Japanese Social Life & Customs Studiers, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Lower Grade & Middle Grade Readers

Laid-Back Camp 8 by Afro

The Outdoor Exploration Club is headed to Izu for a camping trip all together. Rin is driving up on her scooter by herself and the others are all driving up in a minivan with their teacher sponsor and meeting Rin there. Two of the girls have a birthday during the trip so the others are planning a surprise for them. Rin's grandfather and dad help her get her scooter ready for the longer trip. And Nadeshinko was so excited for the trip she didn't sleep a wink the night before and misses most of the fun on the ride there since she sleeps the whole way (like seeing Sakura blossoms and eating wasabi ice cream).

The girls only see the Sakura blossoms from afar in this book, but the traffic jam they witness on their way to their campsite also gives you a picture of just how big a deal the Sakura blossom viewing can be. This book, along with #9, helps readers get an armchair tour of the Izu region of Japan.

Target Readers:

Outdoors Adventurers, Camping Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Road Trip Story Fans, Manga Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Japanese Armchair Tourists, Japan Setting Fans, Books in Translation Fans, Young Adult Readers 

 

The Sakura Obsession: the Incredible Story of the Plant Hunter Who Saved Japan’s Cherry Blossoms by Naoko Abe

This is both the history of Japan's relationship with cherry blossoms and how it evolved over time (and continues to evolve), and the biography of Collingwood Ingram, a man who in collecting as many varieties of flower cherry trees as he could and talking about them, managed to save several varieties from extinction and encouraged the planting of flowering cherries over several nations.

It is safe to say that without Collingwood Ingram the Sakura festivals of today would not be a thing. This is a fascinating read.

Target Readers:

Japanese & English History Fans, Sakura Fans, Biography Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)   

 

When the Sakura Bloom by Narisa Togo

A look at how the blooming of the sakura in Japan change people's morning commutes, signal a season change, feed birds, and bring a festival.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning!

Target Readers:

Japanese Festival Studiers, Seasons Story Fans, Japanese Setting Fans, Art Lovers, Books in Translation Fans, Picture Book Readers