What lovely roots to the tradition, looking up into the light sky to symbolize the end of the cold, dark winter.

 

Think I �ll try it here tomorrow when I �m walking my dog, albeit minus the kite, in the hope of hurrying spring along. Even if it doesn �t work am sure to enjoy the experience.

 

Thank you all for sharing your very interesting culture and traditions with us.

 

Sorry I don �t know anything about that, but it is true that the coming of Spring, symbolized most famously  by the cherry blossom, is celebrated here. Many people here have "hanami." It basically means parties/picnics with delicious foods and often lots of beer under the cherry blossom trees, which are delightful in bloom and, as you probably know, represent the evavescence of our life here on earth.

 

You can see some pictures of hanami here:

 

Actually, this might just be in the countryside area where I live, but many people also enjoy seeing the fukujusou, which they call the first flower of spring. It �s a very sturdy kind of flower, but I must admit I was overjoyed to see some of them in bloom on the  moutainside that gets a lot of sunshine a couple of weeks ago as the cherry blossom here is still at least a couple of weeks away, and possibly nearly a month away.

Here are some pictures of fukujusou for those of you who are interested. I �ve never seen it in England, but you might find it in some of your countries too, I wonder:

 

 

One of my favorite traditions of the start of spring here is eating fukinoto tempura. Fukinoto grows wild in the mountains, my boyfriend and I pick it on our walks with my dog and then he makes the delicious tempura that we (or mainly I!!!) eat with a pinch of salt. he always teases me that even if he fills the bag, it is only enough for one sitting for me because I love the bitter taste of spring so much!

Again, this is not something I �ve ever seen in England, do any of you know it? pictures here:

 

Well, I had better get to bed now but looking forward to reading about some spring customs in other countries tomorrow.

 

Love to all

Julia

Ciao.

Mariannina