Sakura – one of the most anticipated and joyful moments in Japan. As delicate blossoms open up, so do people who normally avoid showing emotions. For a few days, all live suspended in a strange reverie. But within a week or so, fragile blossoms wither away. Sakura carries symbolism of hope and renewal, yet it is also a reminder of the impermanence of life. The Japanese find it enchanting – beauty found in sadness. My series of photographs was taken in the spring of 2017, which was unusually cold and rainy. Sakura was even shorter than normal. Shinjuku Gyoen Garden – usually full of people having picnics and parties – was almost deserted. Enveloped in fog and mist, it felt eerie, almost surreal.
