Traditional Japanese garden plants have a long history and cultural background. Below we will discuss in detail the history and cultural development of these plants.

Origins from the Heian period: The origins of Japanese gardens date back to the Heian period (794-1185). During this period, Japanese aristocrats began creating gardens as places of tranquility and relaxation. These early gardens were designed to mimic natural landscapes, featuring ponds, islands, and trees.

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In particular, gardening culture developed greatly during the Edo period (1603-1867 AD), a period of 260 years of peaceful time (no civil war in the country). The love of plants from Tokugawa Ieyasu to the third shogun spread to feudal lords and samurai who set up mansions in Edo, and eventually Edo became a major horticultural city where even the common people of Edo enjoyed potted plants. This movement spread through out all over Japan. At that time, European plant hunters who visited our country were also surprised. Like Dr. Philipp Franz von Siebold. He achieved prominence by his studies of Japanese flora and fauna. His activities had a great influence on the discovery and dissemination of traditional Japanese horticultural plants. The plants he brought back brought a fresh air to European garden culture, and Japan's beautiful plants became loved all over the world. 

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Plant boom: From the Edo period onwards, various garden plants became popular, closely related to the planning and development of the shoguns and towns of the time. For example, camellias were popular in the Kan'ei period (1661), azaleas in the Genroku period (1688), chrysanthemums in the Shotoku period (1711), autumn leaves in the Kyoho period (1716), and mandarin oranges in the Kan'en period (1789). It became these traditional garden plants are deeply rooted in Japanese history and aesthetics and are still loved by many people today.

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Link to : 260 years of peaceful time created Japanese Horticulture exploded. 

( 100 Chrisanthemum flowers on One stem )

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"Gardening culture'' and "WabiSabi"

`Gardening culture'' and ``WabiSabi'' are deeply rooted in Japan's aesthetic sense and culture.

First, let's explain about ``Wabi-Sabi.'' This word expresses Japan's unique sense of aesthetics, and is a noun that positively describes the simplicity, quietness, and imperfection. Specifically, it includes the following meanings:

Wabi: A simple and quiet way of living. Expressing quiet and simple beauty in the spirit of tea ceremony and haiku.

Sabi: Beauty based on a sense of impermanence and loneliness. It is considered important in classical art, Japanese poetry, and tea ceremony.

"Gardening culture" is the traditional Japanese culture of appreciating gardens and the beauty of nature. Japanese gardens can be said to embody the aesthetic sense of wabi-sabi. The garden incorporates austere and tranquil elements, with an emphasis on natural materials and landscapes.

This aesthetic sense has influenced Japanese culture in general, including tea ceremony, haiku, paintings, and arts and crafts. The beauty of wabi-sabi reflects the Japanese values of simplicity and tranquility, valuing the momentary beauty of things and a sense of change.

You can feel this sense of beauty through Japanese gardens and works of art.​