Sakura!

We are the host couple to the newest of our temple missionary couples, the Oshimas.  Brother Oshima is from Hawaii and Sister Oshima was born in Japan. She moved to Hawaii, where they met.  They are both converts.

Aren't they the most adorable couple ever?

We have heard such rave reviews of the Chevy-Chase neighborhood overflowing with cherry trees in bloom, so taking the Oshimas to this cherry-blossom extravaganza was a must.

While traveling there, Brother Oshima told us the story of  "sakura", or in English: "cherry blossoms". In the Japanese culture, cherry blossoms are very revered.  They give up their lives in their prime.  Most flowers wither and fade, but not cherry blossoms.  They go out in a blaze of glory, dropping their still-fresh petals to the ground.

The samarai warriors are in the same category as the cherry blossoms.  They end their lives in their prime, going out in a blaze of glory and honor.  Brother Oshima was very graphic in demonstrating how hari kari is performed. The samurai jabs his sword into the side of the stomach, slashes down one side of the stomach, across the belly, and up the other side of the stomach.  After committing hari kari, some other warrior chops off the doomed samurai's head to make sure the deed is complete.  Yikes!

The Oshimas were delighted with the cherry blossoms. They kept saying over and over, "We have never seen anything like this, ever!  It is so beautiful!"  They said this display of cherry trees rivals any cherry blossoms in Japan. See for yourself:

Brother Oshima walking back to the car after a photo opp

Sayonara!