Spotlight on Photography: Beneath the Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Around the world, spring’s arrival brings hope for renewal, growth and new beginnings. No place embodies this idea more than Japan, where an explosion of pink and white comes via the sakura, or cherry blossom, every March and April. Like an actual explosion, the blooms don’t last long—a week to 10 days. But they hold deep cultural significance in the Land of the Rising Sun, where artwork and poetry frequently evoke the national symbol. 

While preparing to photograph a woman in a kimono in late March 2018 in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, I unexpectedly witnessed elderly women approaching her. The spontaneous interaction added to the calm, gentle atmosphere that felt distinctly peaceful and authentic. Rather than staging the intended portrait, I chose to capture this unplanned moment, drawn by the quiet warmth and natural harmony of the scene.

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