The Big Picture: Cherry Blossom Time

Spring flowering cherry tree at Japan House with person seated on the grass in the background. Cherry tree in spring at Japan House. (Image by Joyce Sealy-Knoblauch)

Mid-April’s sakura—blossoming cherry trees—herald spring at the university’s Japan House, inviting garden visitors to engage in the traditional Japanese custom of hanami or “flower viewing.” An allée, or walkway, of 50 cherry trees runs between the grounds’ tea garden and dry rock garden, offering a tranquil setting for quiet contemplation. The gardens were designed and built by James A. Bier, MS ’57 LAS, a retired U. of I. professor of geography and cartographer, who still maintains them with a cadre of volunteers. Bier fell in love with Japanese culture while stationed in Tokyo with the U.S. Army’s 29th Engineer Mapping Battalion during the Korean War.

Enjoy more about Japan House and it’s founder Shozo Sato in Illinois Alumni magazine.

The Big Picture