Why I Like Tokyo Nanako Isozaki

Why I Like Tokyo

I like Tokyo in spring when cherry blossoms are awake dressed in shades of pink, red and white. No need to worry about competing with green leaves, Cherry blossoms remind me it’s time for hanami. So I eat oinarisan, and celebrate arrival of spring with the blossoms.

I like Tokyo in winter when cherry blossoms are wise enough to stay away from freezing cold that can make them shrivel and become lifeless. Their limbs and branches look lonely, but they are really waiting for warm weather so that they can hold the beauty of cherry blossoms up high again for everyone to see.

I like Tokyo in fall when cherry blossoms start to prepare for the weather that goes from cold, to colder to coldest. Their cherry-blossom wisdom tells them to prepare for many months of sleep so that when warm weather returns, they can wake up strong, healthy and full of color.

I like Tokyo in summer when cherry blossoms disappear and stay out of the way so that green leaves finally get a chance to be recognized. Cherry blossoms are confident. Their beauty will always stay strong and vibrant.

Nanako Isozaki, Grade 8 Northeast Middle School, Minneapolis Teaching Artist, Frank Sentwali