Lantern Lighting Ceremony
Every year a 350-year-old stone lantern is lit in the Thomas Jefferson Tidal Basin. This formal ceremony commemorates the 1912 gift to Washington D.C. of 3000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. The event includes traditional Japanese performers, Washington dignitaries and the 70 Cherry Blossom princesses representing states, territories, and embassies. The lighting ceremony is held at the site of the first two cherry trees planted by Mrs. William Howard Taft and Viscountess Chinda in 1912. The Lantern ceremony is don't miss! Special thanks to Mark Rhoads of the National Conference of State Societies for his help with this gallery.
Location : Tidal Basin at Independence Ave. and 17 th St., SW.
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Ambassador jokes about the Congressman's outfit
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Kurumi Furusawa represents the Embassy of Japan prepares to light the Lantern. This lighting signifies the strong ties between Japan and the United States.
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Kurumi Furusawa lights a stone lantern carved around 1651. The Lantern stood for over 300 years on the grounds of the Toeizan Kan'eiji Temple in Japan. It now resides on the Jefferson Tidal Basin. *
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Kurumi Furusawa represents the Embassy of Japan. The lantern commemorates the 100th anniversary of Commodore Matthew Perry's historic mission to Japan.
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Kurumi Furusawa represents the Embassy of Japan. The Lantern stands as a gesture of everlasting peace and friendship between Japan and the United States.
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Kurumi Furusawa represents the Embassy of Japan.
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Kurumi Furusawa represents the Embassy of Japan.
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Kurumi Furusawa represents the Embassy of Japan.
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District of Columbia Special Events, Chairman of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Director of Tourism Sue Portor, Secretary of District of Columbia
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District of Columbia Special Events, Chairman of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Director of Tourism Sue Portor, Secretary of District of Columbia
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District of Columbia Shayna Rudd
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Illinois Emily Carlson
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Virginia - Christine Collins
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Maryland - Kimberly Boukal.
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