I haven’t yet been lucky enough to attend a blossom party in Japan, but here’s a glimpse into one that my friend Jean-Pierre enjoyed last week:

(preparing for a barbeque under the blossoms beside the Ugui River in Shiga Ken)

(Lanterns along the river light up the blossoms as the sun sets)

Meanwhile, here in Vancouver, I’m well into the editing process of my new novel that takes place in Japan (unfortunately, research took me to Japan after the blossoms had finished last year). Also, Manga artist Nina Matsumoto is doing a manga portrait of me, which I’ll include in the back of the book. I’m really excited to see how it turns out….