Sakura, cherry blossom, is the most famous flower of Japan. Its beauty has long been inspiring artists in Japan. The design of Sakura can be seen in many places. For example, the100 yen coin has the Sakura design on its reverse. 

The Oka-fu, drawn in the middle of the 19th century, introduces 29 varieties of Sakura with delicate brushwork. For all images, please see here (Japanese only). 

You can still enjoy some of the varieties such as Gyoiko (Yellow dress: double flowered. The petals looks greenish yellow), Komatsunagi (Horse resting: single flowered. According to legend, Shinran, a famous priest of the 12th century, stopped his horse at a cherry tree and that is how the variety got this name), and Taizai-fukun (God of life: double flowered. According to legend, a noble regretted the falling of blossom and prayed for the blossom's long life to Taizan-fukun or Taishan fujun, Chinese god of life) in the botanical gardens. But Somei-yoshino, the most popular variety today, does not appear in this book .

Gyoiko Sakura

Taizan-fukun 

The author, Sakamoto Konen (1800-1853), studied medicine and herbalism under his father Sakamoto Jun'an, physician in ordinary to the sovereign lord of the Kishu Domain (now Wakayama prefecture). He also worked in the Kishu Domain as physician. 

This book wears the ownership stamp of the Kishu Tokugawa family and is presumed  to be dedicated to the Lord of Kishu by the author. The bookbinding is rich and the pictures are painted on silk. The book contains only pictures and names of Sakura. 

Sakamoto Konen was interested in collecting fungi and classified, evaluated and sketched them. Other  works of his, Kin-fu (sketch book of fungi, NDL call no.:Ki-Betsu11-18, NDL call no.: Ki-Betsu 11-19) and Yuri-fu (sketch book of lilies) are also available on this web site.