"If anyone should ask you about the spirit of a true Japanese," wrote the 18th-century poet Norinaga Motoori, "point to the wild-cherry-blossom glowing in the sun." The seasonal Japanese practice of viewing the cherry blossom, or sakura, is a cultural tradition that dates from the third century. This spring, like every other, families, work colleagues and friends will jockey for the best spot under these ephemeral clouds of flowers to share picnics, drink sake and sing karaoke. And if no cherries happen to be blooming this spring in your neck of the woods, never mind: let these images be your ticket to the sakura's fragrant shade.