Sakura Square facts for kids
Sakura Square is a special plaza in Denver, Colorado. It's a place that celebrates Japanese-American culture and history. You can find it at 19th and Larimer Streets. This square has statues, called busts, of important people. These include Ralph Lawrence Carr, a former governor, Minoru Yasui, a Japanese-American lawyer, and Yoshitaka Tamai, a Buddhist priest. Sakura Square also features a small Japanese garden. It's also the entrance to the Tamai Tower, a tall apartment building with shops and restaurants on its lower floors.
Honoring Governor Ralph L. Carr
The Japanese-American community in Denver placed a statue of former Colorado Governor Ralph Lawrence Carr here. They did this to honor him because he supported Japanese Americans during a difficult time. This was when many Japanese Americans were forced to move to special camps during World War II.
Governor Carr was the only elected official in the United States to publicly say sorry for this. Many people believe his support for Japanese Americans might have cost him an election for the U.S. Senate in 1942. However, his actions earned him the deep respect and thanks of the Japanese-American community everywhere.
The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Every year in late June, Denver hosts its Cherry Blossom Festival. This lively event takes place in and around Sakura Square and the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple. During the festival, people celebrate many traditional Japanese customs.
You can see a Japanese tea ceremony, where tea is prepared and served in a special way. There's also ikebana, which is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. The streets fill with food stands offering delicious Japanese dishes. You'll also find vendor booths, community information tables, and a stage with live music. In the evening, a traditional bon odori dance is held right on the street. Many people join in, often wearing yukata, which are traditional Japanese summer kimonos, or other Japanese clothing.
