Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Thematic Exhibition Room
March 24, 2007 (Sat) - April 8, 2007 (Sun)
Cherry blossoms are so popular In Japan that they are sometimes synonymously referred to as "flowers". Every year spots famous for cherry trees are noisy and filled with people enjoying the flowers as well as food and drinks. Cherry blossoms have been popular painting subjects and decorative arts motifs since ancient times. At a glance they all look the same, but there are said to be more than 300 kinds of cherry trees. Someiyoshino, one of the most popular kinds, can be seen along streets in many parts of Japan. It was created by cross-breeding during the Meiji period (1868-1912). Before that, basic kinds such as Yamazakura, Satozakukra, and Higanzakura were prevalent.
Different trees grow in different orders; someiyoshino have blossoms before leaves, and Yamazakura have blossoms and leaves at the same time - a closer look at cherry blossoms in art shows various differences.
This display features cherry blossoms that appear in ukiyo-e prints, various decorative arts and natural history books from the Edo period. Away from the noisy parties, please enjoy a different kind of cherry blossoms viewing in the museum.
Major works in this exhibition
