In Japan, the cherry trees come into bloom in April and lots of people go with their friends, family, or co-workers to sit under the cherry trees and eat and drink while enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms. In Japanese we call this traditional event ohana-mi (flower viewing) and it can be seen everywhere in Japan when the cherry trees are in bloom. Cherry trees are in full bloom only about one week before the cherry blossoms fall from the branches, so the period for ohana-mi is limited. During this brief period, large numbers of people visit places that are famous for cherry blossoms.
April is also the month when the new company year and school year begin in Japan. On April 1, most companies hold a welcoming ceremony for new employees. It's the time when many young people begin their working life. At PPC, too, we hold the welcoming ceremony on April 1. In 2016, five new employees joined the company.
Another spring event is Golden Week, which is a series of national holidays that start at the end of April and last through the beginning days of May. Many people at PPC take advantage of the long Golden Week of consecutive holidays to take a trip. One of the national holidays during Golden Week is Children's Day on May 5, which since times of old has been held in Japan to wish for the healthy growth of boys. The equivalent of this event for girls is held on March 3.
Families with a son put up carp streamers in bright colors and set out a war helmet or full set of armor in the home. Rice cake wrapped in an oak leaf is eaten on this day. Also iris leaves are floated on the bathwater to pray for protection from evil.
In most areas of Japan the rainy season begins in June. During this season, most days are rainy or cloudy. From olden times, Japan has been a country engaged in rice cultivation, so the large amount of rain that falls during the rainy season plays a very important part in the growth of rice plants.
Ms. Michiyo Kodama