Hanami: WELCOMING SPRING WITH THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

Once upon a time in Tokyo, with the aid of a Japanese friend and some model-release forms, we spent a glorious day in Yoyogi Park asking a variety of strangers to take to my picnic blanket for a photograph. Not everyone we asked obliged, but on the whole it was a success.

Hanami or cherry-blossom viewing is a pursuit undertaken by what seems like the whole of Japan in the short space of time when the buds spring into life. I wanted to convey the fact that this is something people from all ages and all walks of life get involved with.

If I could add sound, you would be overwhelmed by the throng of people laughing, eating, drinking and celebrating the joy of the new season.