Sakura translates to “Cherry Blossom” in Japanese. Sakura-Con is a Seattle tradition that coincides with the blooming of the cherry blossom trees around the city and has been going on for over 20 years. Estimated attendance for this year’s event was over 50,000.
What is Sakura-Con for you?
Ryan Quinton is the owner of Kraken Ichiban which is a retailer that sells anime memorabilia and collectables. He explained that Sakura-Con is part of Seattle’s history, and fits into the inclusive spirit of the city by being a home for many people that share a love for anime and Japanese culture. I got the sense that for him, it was about being part of a larger community for many years.
I left the convention feeling as though it was appropriately named. Sakura-Con gives many people a sense of freedom to be who and what they want to be. And, like the 20 different sub-species of cherry blossom trees, they exist and can be appreciated as part of a larger community.
