Blossoming Flowers in Japanese Art and Poetry Exhibition

Part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Presented by JICC, Embassy of Japan

MAR 17 -
MAY 5, 2023 MON - FRI 9AM - 5PM JICC

Ichigo-ichie (一期一会) or "a once-in-a-lifetime meeting." This four-character idiom encourages us to cherish each fleeting moment and encounter just as we cherish the cherry blossoms before they fade. Learn more about the history of the cherry blossoms in DC here.

The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, is proud to present Blossoming Flowers in Japanese Art and Poetry. This exhibition showcases the artistic talents of DC-area students alongside official reproductions of art from the Embassy's private collection and hand-selected haikus. As part of the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival, this unique collaboration highlights the “blooming” creativity of students when drawing inspiration from the symbolism of flowers in Japanese art and poetry.

As the cherry blossoms bloom across DC, they signal a new beginning. We admire them as they frame our landmarks and decorate the streets with cascading shades of pink and white, momentarily transforming the landscape. Through this brief existence, cherry blossoms exemplify the Japanese philosophy of ichigo-ichie. This exhibit hopes to show that even through the impermanence of the season’s most famed flowers, strong community ties can flourish.

Celebrate the opening of this two-month exhibition by coming to the ikebana demonstration lead by David Komeiji of the Ikebana Saga Goryū-North America Branch on the 23rd of March (separate registration required, more information here).

The exhibition is free and open to the public. The exhibition will run from March 17 through May 5 and will be open to the public during normal JICC hours, 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Photo & Video Policy

The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by JICC, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. JICC may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by JICC including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, newspapers, magazines, television, social media, websites, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian. A person attending a JICC event who does not wish to have their image recorded for distribution should make their wishes known to the photographer/videographer, and/or the event organizers.