Anime Marathon, Kimono Fashion Show and More:
Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival

In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the arrival of spring in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art (Jefferson Drive and 12th Street S.W.) and nearby Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Avenue S.W.) present a variety of free public programs and exhibitions.

The festival, which celebrates the friendship between the United States and Japan, takes place March 22 through April 7 and kicks off with a kimono fashion show and a Japanese dance and music performance at the Freer and Sackler on March 23. At noon, visitors can learn about ancient Japanese musical theaters in a lecture-demonstration given by Japanese Living Treasure Mannojo Nomura. Afterwards, at 1:30 p.m., more than fifty participants from Japan perform the thousand-year-old dance and music of "dai dengku" on the Freer steps. Following that, at 3 p.m., twenty-five professional kimono dressing artists ("kitsuke") from Tokyo display the gorgeous array of traditional and contemporary kimono patterns being worn in Japan today, and demonstrate the elaborate wedding kimono.

Other events at the galleries include, a day-long festival of four Japanese Anime films presented in conjunction with Otakorp, Inc. on Saturday, March 29 with films at 11 a.m., 1:30, 4 and 7 p.m.; a performance of recent Japanese chamber music by the RUCKUS Ensemble on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. and Japanese screen art workshops for children on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Festival's duration at 2 p.m.

Families visiting the galleries during the festival can go on a "Discover the Art of Japan" tour in the Freer where they will learn about the artistic traditions of Japan as they explore the museum's Japanese paintings, screens, ceramics and lacquer ware. Tours are offered daily from March 17 to April 6 at 1:15 p.m. Lunch-time tours of Japanese art are also offered on March 19 and 26 and April 2 and 9 at 1 and 1:35 p.m. and "Stories of Japan" tours are offered at 1 p.m. on March 23, 30 and April 6.

In addition, visitors can see the Freer's collection of art inspired by the urban "floating world" (ukiyo) of Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868) in the exhibitions, "The Floating World Revealed: Ukiyo-e Painting and Prints" and "Tea in the Floating World," both at the Freer through May 26. Objects on view include, paintings and prints depicting famous Kabuki actors, courtesans and theatrical scenes and decorative luxury tea utensils and ceramics. Other exhibitions at the Freer and Sackler featuring Japanese art include a selection of contemporary Japanese porcelain at the Sackler and "The Religious Art of Japan" at the Freer. Visitors may also wish to visit the galleries' shops where items relating to the Cherry Blossom Festival are available, including cards, books, ceramics, and this exclusive t-shirt featuring artwork from our collection. The shops will also have a booth at the 12th Street Sakura Matsuri street bazaar held on Saturday, April 5 from noon to 5 p.m. at 12th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues N.W.

The Freer Gallery of Art (12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W.) and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Ave. S.W.) together form the national museum of Asian art for the United States. The Freer also houses a major collection of late 19th and early 20th-century American art. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and admission is free. Public tours are offered daily. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, the public may call 202.357.2700 or TTY 202.357.1729, or visit the galleries' Web site at www.asia.si.edu.