The Japanese tradition of holding events or festivals surrounding the short-lived blooming of ornamental cherry blossom trees (sakura) is thought to be centuries old and is maintained in many parts of the world. Cherry blossom festivals (hanami) are a reminder to celebrate life and to enjoy the transient beauty of flowers. They are held outside and often include a variety of cultural activites and performances such as music, dance, and traditional foods. Since 1978 Seattle's Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival have been held at the Seattle Center as part of the year-round FESTAL program honoring different ethnic communities in the city.

In this image eight girls wearing traditional Japanese kimonos pose together during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the University of Washington Arboretum. The girls were part of a 60-member group of dancers from the Seattle Buddhist Church (also Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple) and were identified from left as: Susanne Umeda, 6; Kathy Fugami, 8; Sandy Fugami, 7; Marianne Harada, 6; Gail Matsui, 5; Glenna Hamasaki, 7; Barbara Kano, 6; and Joy Osaki, 8.

Caption information source: "Japanese Girls Dance: 1,000 See Cherry Blossom Fete," by Stan Reed, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 13, 1959, page 6.
Caption information source: https://cherryblossomfest.org/?page_id=6