SAKURA MATSURI 2012

100 Years of Friendship

Centennial Celebration of the Gift of Trees

On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first flowering cherry trees (Sakura) in Washington D.C. These trees have become a living symbol of friendship between the peoples of Japan and the United States

First lady & Cincinnati native   Mrs. Taft wished to beautify the   Capital’s Tidal Basin.         Ms. Scidmore an author, suggested         Japanese cherry blossom trees.   Dr. Takamine a chemist,   proposed that the trees should be a   gift from Japan.         Tokyo’s Mayor Ozaki donated         3020 cherry trees in 1912.

The Mission of the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati is to build friendship between Japanese & Americans; to facilitate education, understanding and fun, for individuals and businesses alike. We thank the 120 Japanese companies who have provided 12,000 jobs in the area.