One night in spring

HERE IS A MANDALA TO CELEBRATE the spring Japanese-style. A very large circular garden is girdled by a wall with tall pagoda gateways marking the points of the compass. Inside, a forest of cherry trees, laid out so that all may enjoy this annual spectacle, has erupted in great foaming pink and orange and white drifts of blossom. On a warm spring night, when the blossoms seem to float on the soft purple air, a vast domed frame has been erected over the trees, and strung with bunting and hung with colourful kites.

From the pathways of the garden, the visitors look up through the clouds of pink and white to see the dragons, the butterflies and birds, flying high above in the violet night sky. Although there is a low hum of conversation around the small stalls selling hot spicy drinks and traditional snacks, people remain largely in an awestruck silence before this magical vision.