Meaning of Hanami
In Japan, the tradition of walking under and around blossoming cherry trees is called “hanami,” also referred to as “flower viewing.” This is an ideal time for families and friends to gather and celebrate their beauty. Given that their vibrantly colored blooms last only two weeks, they symbolize both the beauty of nature, and a reminder to appreciate life’s special moments. Hanami also represents a time of reflection and renewal; and the fresh start of a new school year.
Background
The vision to build an iconic cherry blossom park along the Sacramento River, called The Hanami Line at Robert T. Matsui Park, is the outcome of a multi-million dollar collaboration between the City of Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture and the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s office also contributed project funding.
Joe Rodota saw a series of cherry trees form a canopy over walkways with families gathering beneath them during a business trip to Japan. When he returned home, Rodota contacted his friend Lon Hatamiya. Together they decided to introduce the “hanami” (or flower viewing) experience to Sacramento.
Working together, they discussed their vision with Sacramento Tree Foundation and potential for collaboration. The Tree Foundation led the first phase of the project by hiring landscape architects to design the park improvements that became Robert T Matsui Park – named for the late Sacramento congressman.
Ray Trethaway, former Executive Director of Sacramento Tree Foundation, describes on the organization website how the project evolved organically. “Everyone was invited…It was a grass roots ideal that eventually became an iconic project.”
Purpose
This beautiful and spacious 1.5 acre public park is an integral piece of the revitalization of Sacramento’s riverfront. The park celebrates both Sacramento’s Japanese American legacy and enduring love for trees.
Hatamiya believes the Hanami Line to be “a great social gathering place for Sacramento combined with the opportunity to celebrate the legacy of his grandparents; and those generations who came to this country as immigrants not knowing anything, but contributed in a huge way.”
“The Hanami Project represents the many contributions of the Japanese American community in the past, the present and continuing as a historical legacy for future generations to come. Julie Teel, Hanami Line Campaign Chair.
“We are a city of rivers and a city of trees, and the Hanami Line weaves both aspect our civic character together. The park salutes Sacramento’s rich history and create lasting connection with the cherry trees that bloom every year in our nation’s capital.” Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Honorary Co-Chair, Hanami Line Capital Campaign Committee.
Public Art Project
Robert T Matsui Park, at 450 Jibboom Street in Sacramento, sits alongside the Sacramento River. A wide, blue brick walkway lined with 100 “Pink Flair” ornamental cherry trees leads to the river at one end, where pedestrians and cyclists enjoy river views from the trail. A Cherry Blossom tree sculpture stands at the opposite end of the walkway.
The firm of Reed Madden Designs was selected after a rigorous review of artists responding to the Request for Qualifications released in February 2023. Reed also served as the general contractor, so the firm designed the scultpture and managed its installation.
From the Artist’s Statement
“The piece honors the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom watching. The tree contains the flower the way the flower contains the tree. Ascending, the tree becomes a large blossom, which in turn becomes the branches of a tree, which in turn contains the fluttering pink blossoms.
“A torn and charred trunk alludes to the struggles of the Japanese American during their internment in WWII and subsequent displacement. From these broken stitched pieces new growth arises in the form of shiny stainless steel and pink glass blossoms, representing the resiliency of this community to rebuild their lives. The piece echoes the art of Kintsugi (repairing broken pottery with gold or silver.) Life’s beauty and fragility is expressed in the swaying blossoms.”
Jeffrey Reed + Jennifer Madden
Funding Partners
Sacramento Tree Foundation
City of Sacramento
- Arts and Culture
- Department of Housing and Redevelopment Agency
- Department of Utilities
- Office of Economic Development
- Public Works Department
- Youth Parks and Community Enrichment
Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Council
Any day is a great time to enjoy the company of family and friends among the Cherry Trees at Robert T Matsui Park. Take a walk or ride a bicycle along the river to see even more of the Sacramento Riverfront.
Janice Kelley is a local writer who focuses on stories to share sense of place, purpose people and history. Contact her at outdoorjan@att.net. Visit her website at https://naturelegacies.com
