Gifts of Friendship (Japan Joint Issue) - USPS Forever Stamps

       I also ordered this sheet of USPS forever stamps, Gifts of Friendship, when I purchased Cherry Blossom Centennial forever stamps this month. USPS and Japan Post jointly issued this stamps to celebrate on the centennial of the gift of dogwood trees from the U.S. to Japan in 1915. "友情" means friendship in Japanese.

Gifts of Friendship (Japan Joint Issue) - USPS Forever Stamps

       According to USPS website, in a ceremony at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of 3,020 flowering cherry trees gifted to the nation’s capital from the city of Tokyo.

As a show of gratitude for this generous gift, former President William Howard Taft arranged for the United States to send 50 flowering dogwood trees (Cornus florida) to Japan in 1915. These gestures of goodwill fostered a rich tradition of exchanging cherry and dogwood trees that continues to this day.

In both the United States and Japan, the dogwood and cherry trees exchanged over the years bring renewed life each spring after the long winter months and showcase the natural splendor of our two countries. They are celebrated on both sides of the Pacific Ocean with annual festivals that echo the spirit of friendship. With their stunning displays of color and rich history for the U.S. and Japan, these trees remain symbols of the deep bond between our nations.

Issue Date:

April 10, 2015

Art Director/Designer:

Paul Rogers, William J. Gicker, Junko Kaifuchi

These two stamps were created by USPS.

 These two stamps were created by Japan Post.

The Lincoln Memorial with Vibrant Cherry Trees in the Foreground

The U.S. Capitol Building Surrounded by White and Pink Dogwood Trees

 The National Diet Building Framed by Cherry Blossoms

The Clock Tower Outside the Diet Building Rising Behind a Foreground of White Dogwood Flowers.

Gifts of Friendship (Japan Joint Issue) - USPS Forever Stamps

Gifts of Friendship (Japan Joint Issue) - USPS Forever Stamps

       These stamps below were released in Japan on April 10 this year. If I lived in Japan, I would get these too. 

米国からのハナミズキ寄贈100周年

       My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.