Said to have begun in the late 8th century, the flower viewing tradition is widely believed to have started in the Nara Period. The seasonal event was used to welcome in the new year’s harvest while marking the beginning of the rice planting season. In the Heian Period , Emperor Saga would welcome this time with celebratory feasts and parties under the sakura trees in Kyoto’s Imperial Court. While originally limited to Japanese royalty and the elite upper class, hanami spread to all citizens by the Edo Period in the early 1600’s. Join the Barony of Eskalya as we hold a Japanese Cherry Blossom Event of our own!!
A&S Challenge/Autocrats Whim!! We need Cherry Blossoms for “Viewing”!! These can be done in ANY fashion YOU can think of and make. Do you Embroider? Do you Paint? Do you write beautiful words on parchment? Glass Work? Metal Work? The possibilities here are endless.
Please join us as we welcome the warm weather and Spring beauty. A potluck feast as well as a Dessert cooking Challenge; Baroness’ Tea; Childrens Activities; and a Japanese Themed Fighting Tourney AND Contest for both Heavy and Rapier are also in store for the day’s enjoyment. Please join us as we celebrate the warming weather, and beautiful spring offerings of mother nature; with a warm gathering full of fun and excitement of all kinds.
Autocrat: Viscountess Isabella Hawke (Bella)
Jewel Lake Parish (3833 Strawberry Rd., Anchorage AK 99502)
Make your best way to Anchorage.
From North of Anchorage: From the main Highway: Continue straight onto E 5th Ave; Turn left onto L St; Continue onto Minnesota Dr/Walter J. Hickel Parkway; Take the exit toward Raspberry Rd; Turn left onto Jewel Lake Rd; Turn left onto Strawberry Rd; the Parish will be on the left.
From South of Anchorage: Follow AK-1 N to Raspberry Rd in Anchorage. Take the Raspberry Rd exit from Walter J. Hickel Pkwy. Turn left onto AK-1 N. Take the O'Malley Road exit. Merge onto Brayton Dr. Turn left onto O'Malley Rd/Walter J. Hickel Pkwy. Take the Raspberry Rd exit. Turn left onto Raspberry Rd. Turn left onto Jewel Lake Rd. Turn left onto Strawberry Rd; the Parish will be on the left.
From Within Anchorage: Make your best way to Jewel Lake Rd; Turn Left onto Strawberry Rd; the Parish will be on the left.
