Children challenge Japanese sumo wrestlers during a show at Guangzhou Sculpture Park, on Sunday, March 2, 2008. [Photo: CCTV.com]
Sakura and sumo, both quintessentially Japanese, now form a festive scene at a park in Guangzhou, capital of southern China's Guangdong Province.
Sakura, or cherry blossoms, in the Guangzhou Sculpture Park are currently in full bloom, and the Japanese flavor there is enhanced by a week-long sumo show, featuring A-list sumo wrestlers led by veteran Nobuyuki Daishi, which kicked off on Saturday.
After a spellbinding wrestling show with his teammates on the second day, Nobuyuki invited four local children onto the stage to challenge him. Some other interactions also won audiences.
Sunday's show attracted over 30,000 spectators, local media reported.
The sumo performances are part of Guangzhou's first ever Cherry Blossom Culture Festival, running from February 4 to March 23.
