Viewing Cherry in Osaka Mint Bureau -Strolling under the rows of cherry trees-

After the two-year suspension due to the pandemic of the Wuhan virus, in 2022, the passage through the pathways in Osaka Mint is now resumed by taking all possible measures against the virus.

Strolling under the rows of cherry trees was started based on the idea that the Director General of the Osaka Mint Bureau at the time of 1883 would enjoy the cherry blossoms on the premises with not only staff but also the local people, and now loved not only by the local people but also the people from all over world. It has been inherited to be still enjoyed as a special spring event in Osaka.

Along to the walking promenade in the Mint, 335 cherry trees of 138 varieties are planted, which is pleasing to our eyes. I uploaded pictures of 59 varieties in here since some verities has already fallen out and some others I could not find.

Many of the varieties planted here, such as Yae Sakura or double petals cherry, bloom later than Somei yoshino, the most popular variety in Japan and best season is late March to bigging of April, so the best time to see in Osaka mint is usually in mid-April.

The mint bureau selects “The flower of the year” in each year for raising visitors interests on varieties, and this year’s selected variety is Fukurokujyu (Cerasus serrulata ‘Contorta’), late blooming pale pink double petals variety of Satozakura.

Fukurokujyu

Fukurokujyu is one of seven deities of good fortune in Japan; the God of wisdom, luck, and longevity. However botanic name of “Controrta” means twisted which come from twisted or wrinkled petals. You can check more detailed information of each variety by clicking the name of each variety.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Contorta’/ Cherry var. Fukurokujyu/ フクロクジュ福禄寿

The mint also introduces some new debut varitties on every year. The newly introduced varieties of this year are follows;

Iyo-Kikuzakura

Among the cherry blossoms, those with a large number of petals, generally 100 or more are called chrysanthemum type. Iyo-Kikuzakura is a dwarf and the original tree is located in Matsuyama, Ehime, but this chrysanthemum-blooming type cherry that is often found in Kanazawa and Noto, Ishikawa pref. It is also considered to be closely related to the famous variety, Kenrokuen Kikuzakura. The flowers are blooms in well-grown leaves, and the number is not very large, and the number of petals is about 100 to 130 in total.

Cerasus serrulate ’Iyo-kikuzakura’/ Cherry var. Iyo-kikuzakura/ イヨキクザクラ　伊予菊桜

Giosyo

This is also a new variety developed in Matsumae, Hokkaido. And it is said that it was named after Mr. Saburo Okada, a novelist born in Matsumae and the appearance of flowers that hang down. Originally it looks a little brighter pink, but as the sun almost set, it looks showing darker than true pale pink color.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Giosyo’ / Cherry var. Giosyo/ ギョウショウ　暁鐘

Let’s watch beautiful many other varieties one by one, by alphabetic order in English name, with my brief comments, but you can learn more detailed information in my website, by clicking name of each variety.

Amanogawa

This variety are now planted all over Japan from the Arakawa bank originally planted, since it has unique characteristics its branches grow up and the flowers bloom upward. The botanic name “erecta” means upright.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Erecta’/ Cherry var. Amanogawa/ アマノガワ天の川

Ayanishiki

This variety was selected by Mr. Masatoshi Asari, a cherry blossom researcher in Matsumae town, Hokkaido, from 500 seedlings produced from Matsumae Hayazaki in 1959. The flowers are large pink flowers with about 30 petals.

Cerasus × sieboldil ‘Ayanishiki’/ Cherry var. Ayanishiki/ アヤニシキ綾錦

Baigoji-Juzukakezakura

This variety has many pale scarlet petals which makes shape of like chrysanthemum flowers. It has a legend relation with high ranking Buddhist priest “Shinran”. One of the latest blooming cherry we can watch in Tokyo, in late April.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Juzukakezakura’/ Cherry var. Juzukakezakura/ バイゴジジュズカケザクラ梅護寺数珠掛桜

Beninaden

This variety has seldom double purplish pink petals, has been cultivated by Toemon Sano, cherry saver of Kyoto.

Cerasus jamasakura ‘Beninaden’/ Cherry var. Beninaden/ ベニナデン紅南殿

Beni-shigure

This was developed by Mr. Asari, a cherry breeder in Matsumae, selecting seedlings from a Satozakuras(C.serrulata), Azumanishiki. The seedling is considered to be developed from open polination with Azumanishiki and other variety of developped from Kasumizakura (C. leveilleana).

Cerasus serrulata ‘Beni-shigure’/ Cherry var. Beni-shigure/ ベニシグレ紅時雨

Beni-tamanishiki

This variety made by double petal Kasumizakura (Korean hill cherry ) and some cultivated variety in Matsumae in Hokkaido as it bud is reddish ball shape.

Cerasus leveilleana ‘Beni-tamanishiki’/ Cherry var. Benitamanishiki/ ベニタマニシキ紅玉錦

Fugenzou

One of the popular Satozakura variety (C.serrulata) of late blooming light pink double petals. The name of this old variety is known from “Muromachi period” almost 1000 years ago. The name “Fugen” means Samantabhadra and Zou means “elephant” and shape of pistil is looks like nose of elephant. It is also known as ‘Shiro-fugen’ means “white fugen”, outside Japan.

Cerasus serrulate ‘ Albo-rosea’/ Cherry var. Fugenzou フゲンゾウ普賢象

Gyoikou

This variety is famous of its color of white yellow or yellowish green and changing to red at the end of flower season. It is said to start cultivation in Ninna temple in Kyoto and then planted on Arakawa bank. It is said sport of same yellow variety Ukon.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Gyoikou’/ Cherry var. Gyoikou/ ギョイコウ御衣黄

Hanagasa

Hanagasa means a hat adorned with flowers, this hat is famous for dancing by wearing. The name is coming shape can be resemble this hat.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Hanagasa’/ Cherry var. Hanagasa/ ハナガサ花笠

Hayasi-nigo

A variety planted at the Osaka Mint. According to the information of the Japan Mint, a double petal cherry variety bred by Mr. Hayashi, gardener of Sendai. It is a pale pinkish purple and has 15 to 18 petals.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Hayasi-nigo’/ Cherry var. Hayasi-nigo ハヤシニゴウ林二号

Higurashi

It was planted on Arakawa bank with pale pink double petals Satozakura.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Amabilis’/ Cherry var. Higurashi/ ヒグラシ日暮

Hirano-Nadeshiko

A variety planted in the precincts of Hirano Shrine in Kyoto, and it has this name because of having fine notch like a dianthus at the tip of the petals. The petals are pale pink and about 40 pieces.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Dianthipetala’/ Cherry var. Nadeshiko-zakura/ ヒラノナデシコ平野撫子

Hizakura

The flowers are large, deep red and have about 30 petals. The tip of the petal has a small notch.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Hizakura’/ Cherry var. Hizakura/ ヒザクラ緋桜

Hotate

It is a cultivar of the Oshima (Cerasus speciosa), and the flag petals developed from the stamens appear in flower, and name comes from it looks like a scallop or sailboat.

Cerasus speciosa ‘Hotate’/ Cherry var. Hotate/ ホタテ帆立

Houmyouji

The variety planted in the precincts of Homyoji Temple in Miyama Town, Kyoto, were grafted and cultivated by Mr. Toemon Sano, a cherry saver in Kyoto. The flowers are light pink and double and middle size petals.

Cerasus jamasakura ‘Houmyouji’/ Cherry var. Houmyouji/ ホウミョウジ　法明寺

Ichihara toranoo

Ichihara is a name of place in Kyoto where original tree was planted and “Tranoo” means “tiger’ s tail” as seen of weeping shape of blooming branch.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Albo Plena’/ Cherry var. Ichihara toranoo/ イチハラトラノオ市原虎の尾

Imose

Imose is old Japanese language means couple has very good relation because this variety sometimes bears two berries from one flower on top of the stalk. Original tree is located in Hirano shrine in Kyoto.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Imose’/ Cherry var. Imose/ イモセ妹背

Itokukuri

This variety is known as cultivated on Arakawa bank but known more older since Edo period. Japanese name’s meaning is thread bunced, since its long pedicel and bunched flowers looks like bundled flower bouquet.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Fasciculata’/ Cherry var. Itokukuri/ イトククリ糸括

Kanzan

One of the most popular double petal variety with dark pink flower, 1-2 week late bloom than Somei-yoshino. The most planted in this place. The impression that “Yaezakura or Double petal variety blooms late” also comes from this variety.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Kanzan’/ Cherry var. Kanzan/ カンザン関山

Kasugai

This variety was developped by Mr. Toemon Sano, cherry saver of Kyoto from a cherry planted at the foot of Mt. Kasuga, Nara, by grafting. The flower petals are pale pink and the number of petals is about 15 to 20.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Kasugai’/ Cherry var. Kasugai/ カスガイ春日井

Kikuzakura

This variety has large pale pink chrysanthemum shape flower belong to Sato zakura (C. serrulata). Original tree of this variety was planted in a school garden of 6th high school of Okayama prefecture.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Chrysanthemoides’/ Cherry var. Kikuzakura/ キクザクラ菊桜

Kirin

One of the satozakura variety (C. serrulata) planted on Arakawa river bank, its’ flower is resembled to popular satozakura var. “Kanzan” but distinguished by shape of leaf and sepal.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Kirin’/ Cherry var. Kirin/ キリン麒麟

Kodaiji

Original tree of this variety was planted at the entrance of Kodaiji Temple, east side Kyoto. Mr. Toemon Sano, cherry saver in Kyoto, propagated and spread them. The flowers are elegant large flowers of slightly pink and white, and the number of petals is 10 to 15.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Kodaiji’/ Cherry variety Kodaiji/ コウダイジ高台寺

Kokonoe

It is a satozakura mainly effected Oshima (C. speciosa) and was cultivated at the Arakawa bank in Tokyo (currently Adachi-city). The flowers are pale pink and the same color inner and outer petals are beautiful.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Homogena’/ Cherry var. Kokonoe/ ココノエ九重

Kouka

A variety belongs to C.serrulata produced in 1965 considered pollinated between C. sargentii C.serrulata. Beauty pink double petals and long living blooming variety.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Kouka’/ Cherry var. Kouka/ コウカ紅華

Matsumae

This variety was developed by selecting from the seedlings of one Satozakuras (C. serrulata) variety Itokukuri in 1963 by Masatoshi Asari, a sakura researcher in Matsumae, and was named by Jisaburo Oi. The characteristic is that the pistil changes to leaves all the way up to the upper part of the style and the stigma.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Matsumae’/ Cherry var. Matsumae/ マツマエ松前

Matsumae-benimurasaki

There are many excellent varieties are bred in Matsumae, Hokkaido. This variety was developed by Mr. Masatoshi Asari, famous cherry researcher and breeder, it was developed by crossing Satozakuras (C. serrulata) (Edo and others). The name is showing this flower has purplish red flower.

Cerasus serrulata‘ Matsumae-benimurasaki’/ Cherry. Var. Matsumae-benimurasaki/マツマエベニムラサキ松前紅紫

Matsumae-hanamiyako

This variety was developed by Mr. Masatoshi Asari, famous cherry breeder in Matsumae, Hokkaido, in 1970. It was developed by crossing two Satozakuras varieties (C. serrulata)(‘Itokukuri’ and ‘Kechimyaku’). This variety is recognized very good flowering status and good shape of flowering tree.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Matsumae-hanamiyako’/ Cherry var. Matsumae-hanamiyako/ マツマエハナミヤコ松前花都

Matsumae-kotoitozakura

It was created by Masatoshi Asari, a researcher of cherry in Matsumae, Hokkaido. It is a variety that was born and named from the seedlings of 1200 unknown double petal variety seeds in the garden of the Mariyama family in Matsumae-cho, Hokkaido. It has a long flowering period and strong tree vigor. The number of petals is 40 to 45, and the color changes considerably from the red color at the beginning of flowering to the pale red color.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Matsumae-kotoitozakura’/ Cherry var. Matsumae-kotoitozakura/ マツマエコトイトザクラ松前琴糸桜

Matumae-usubenikokonoe

It is a variety developped by crossing variety ‘Kokonoe’ (C. serrulata ‘Homogena’) and Kasumizakura cherry (C. leveilleana) by Mr. Masatoshi Asari, a cherry researcher in Matsumae. The variety inheritaged good characteristics of Kasumizakura, many midium size flowers. The color of the flower is pink, but it seems that the center of the flower is dyed red when it becomes end period. The number of petals is 12 to 15.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Matumae-usubenikokonoe’/ Cherry variety Matumae-usubenikokonoe/ マツマエウスベニココノエ松前薄紅九重

Mikurumagaeshi

This variety has combined single and double petal flowers. The name comes from old story of noble persons of who said single and another said double petals after they saw flowers from an Oxcart, and then they returned to confirmed and found it has combined flowers.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Mikurumakaisi’/ Cherry var. Mikurumagaeshi/ ミクルマガエシ　御車返

Miyako-nishiki

It is said that the name (Miyako is capital and Nishiki is beautiful cloth) was given because it was originally planted in the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The flowers are pale pinkish white and the number of petals is about 20.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Miyakonishiki’/ Cherry var. Miyakonishiki/ ミヤコニシキ都錦

Moutan

It is a pale pink, large-flowered double-petal variety that was originally planted on the Arakawa bank in Tokyo

Cerasus serrulata ‘Moutan’/ Cherry var. Moutan/ ボタン牡丹

Nidozakura

The original tree is located in Ono-cho, Ibi-gun, Gifu and was designated as a national natural monument in 1923 as “Ibi Nido (Twice) Zakura”. It is a rare cherry blossom that is called twice flowered because it blooms single-flowered, double-flowered, and double-layer flower flowers in one tree, and the inner flower blooms after the outer flower in the double-flowered flower.

Cerasus jamasakura ‘Heteroflora’/ Cherry var. Nidozakura/ ニドザクラ二度桜

Nison-in Fugenzou

This variety was planted in Nisonn-in temple in Sagano, Kyoto, although original tree was died, variety was preserved by grafting by Mr. Toemon Sano, Cherry saver in Kyoto. The red-colored chrysanthemums type of cherry, and the number of petals is 80 to 150.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Nison-in’/ Cherry var. Nison-in Fugenzou/ ニソンインフゲンゾウ二尊院普賢象

Oh-demari

It is said that this name was given because many flowers grow densely at the tips of the branches and making large Temari (ball). It is light pink-red and has about 20 petals in middle size, but it is said that it is difficult to distinguish it from other similar satozakura (C. serrulata) named Edo, Azumnishiki, Temari, Itokukuri, and Beni Temari.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Oh-demari’/ Cherry var. Oh-demari/ オオテマリ大手毬

Ojochin

This white single and double variety with long stalk makes flower looks like lantern. The variety is said to be planted Arakawa bank. It is considered as same line of ‘Ariake’

Cerasus serrulata ‘Ojochin’/ Cherry var. Ojochin/ オオジョウチン大提灯

Omoigawa

It is a cultivar developed from October cherry belongs to Cerasus×subhirtella, and known one of the parents of ‘Haruka’ named by actress Ms. Haruka Ayase, which is now planted nationwide as a symbol of support for the reconstruction of Fukushima Prefecture, which was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. It is named after Omoigawa, which flows nearby in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Cerasus×subhirtella ‘Omoigawa‘/ Cherry var. Omoigawa/ オモイガワ思川

Omuro-Ariake

Very famous variety called Omuro Zakura at Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto. The life of the flower is short and ephemeral, but this variety seems to be particularly short. It was in full bloom when I saw it at Ninnaji Temple three days ago, but it was completely gone here.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Omuro-ariake’/ Cherry var. Omuro-Ariake オムロアリアケ御室有明

Please watch full blooming ‘Omuro-ariake’ in Ninnaji temple three days, before.

Ranran

It is developed by Masatoshi Asari, a Sakura researcher in Matsumae. It is a variety that has selected after crossing ‘Amayadori’, a variety of Satozakura (C. serrulata) with ‘Hakuran’, a local variety of Matsumae. In condolence for a panda named Ran-Ran at Ueno Zoo, which was presented by the Chinese government, the variety’s name was given Children’s Day on May 5, 1980.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Ranran’/ Cherry var. Ranran/ ランラン蘭々

Rokkozakura

It is a cherry blossom in the school ground of the former Sixth Higher School (currently Okayama University) in Okayama Prefecture. As the arnternate name suggests, it is a chrysanthemum bloom type, and the flowers are pale red and white.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Chrysanthemoides’/ Cherry var. Rokkozakura/ ロッコウザクラ六高桜

Saifukuji

The original tree is located at Saifukuji Temple in Izu City, Shizuoka . Among the weeping type cherry blossoms, the flowers are large and are impressive. It is said that since the flowers are large and could be seen from Shimizu on the opposite of bay when they were in full bloom. The characteristics of leaves and flowers are similar to those of variety ‘Eigenji’ (Cerasus serrulata ‘Eigenji’) , but distinguishable by weeping type.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Saifukuji’/ Cherry var. Saifukuji/ イズサイフクジシダレ伊豆最福寺枝垂

Sano-zakura

This variety was selected by Toemon Sano, Famous plant nurseries from 10,000 seedlings of Yamazakura (C. jamasakura) planted around Hirosawa pond in Kyoto. The name of Sano-zakura was named by Dr. Tomitaro Makino, a famous botanist.

Cerasus jamasakura ‘Sanozakura’/ Cherry var. Sanozakura/ サノザクラ佐野桜

Shizuka

Cherry variety belong to Sato-zakura (C. serrulata) with large white double petal variety with good fragrance. It is developed by crossing other Sato-zakura varieties, ‘Amanokawa’ and ‘Amayadori’.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Shizuka’/Cherry var. Shizuka/ シズカ静香

Shoki

It is said that it was originally on the Arakawa bank, but it seems that the origin of the name or history is not well understood. White to slightly pink, single or semi-double, large open flowers also have flag petals.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Shoki’/ Cherry var. Shoki/ ショウキ鍾馗

Sonosatokizakura

This variety is a sport of famous variety, Fugenzo (C. serrulata ‘Albo-rosea’) , discovered in Suzaka City, Nagano Pref. in 2001, it blooms yellow-green with green stripes. This variety is a kind of yellow-green variety, but completely different from famous’ Ukon’ or ‘Gyoiko’.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Sonosatokizakura’/ Cherry var. Sonosatokizakura/ ソノサトキザクラ園里黄桜

Sumaura-fugenzo

In April 1990, an original tree of this variety was discovered as a sport of ‘Fugenzo’ (C. serrulata ‘Albo-rosea’ ) planted in Sumaura Park in Kobe, and was introduced by Mr. Kasahara and cultivated at the Yuki Farm of Flower Association of Japan. Among the all characteristics of flowers, except flower color, are same as ‘Fugenzo’, and the flower color changes to yellowish green, and at the end of flowering, it turns red from the base of the petals, and sometimes double-flowered flowers are mixed. It was named after the place of discovery and the name of the original variety. Currently, the original tree in Sumaura Park have been died, but the plants propagated in the Yuki-Farm have returned home are being planted.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Sumaura-fugenzo’/ Cherry var. Sumaura-fugenzo/ スマウラフゲンゾウ須磨浦普賢象

Syogetsu

One of the satozakura variety (C. serrulata) planted on Arakawa river bank, its’ flower is pale double pink petals with edge is dark and center is pale and it has nature of wide spreading branch.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Superba’/ Cherry var. Syogetsu/ ショウゲツ松月

Syujyaku

The name of variety is coming from name of town in Kyoto city, Syujyaku or Suzaku, flower is bending down by long peduncle and pedicel.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Shujaku’/ Cherry var. Syujyaku/ シュジャク朱雀

Taizanfukun

It is a variety that was originally cultivated at Arakawa river bank in Tokyo. The name of Taisan-fukun was that, in the Middle Ages, Chunagon of Sakuramachi, high ranking aristocrat, lamented that the cherry blossoms were easy to scatter, and when he prayed for a longer period of flowers to celebrate Taisan-fukun, Chinese deity, the spiritual extended the dispersal for 21 days. It seems that it came from the fact that. However, it seems uncertain whether the current varieties are the same to the ancient story variety.

Cerasus × miyoshii ‘Ambigua’/ Cherry var. Taizanfukun/ タイザンフクン泰山府君

Takikaori

This variety is white semi-double petals with strong fragrance belong to Oshima (C. speciosa).

Cerasus speciosa ‘Cataracta’/ Cherry var. Takinioi, Takikaori/ タキニオイタキカオリ滝香

Taoyame

A very elegant variety name, Taoyame, which means graceful woman, the original tree was in Hirano shrine in Kyoto until recently but damaged by typhoon. As known one of the parents of ‘Haruka’ named by a famous actress Haruka Ayase.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Taoyame’/ Cherry var. Taoyame/ タオヤメ手弱女

Ukon

This variety is famous of its light yellow or yellowish green colored by chlorophyll, considered as a sport of other yellow varieties like ‘Gyoikou’, color difference from ‘Gyoikou’ is depending on difference of amount of chlorophyll. According to growth of flower, it changes to reddish pink. Japanese name “Ukon” means color of turmeric. It was planted on Arakawa river bank.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Grandiflora’/ Cherry var. Ukon/ ウコン鬱金

Yae-akebono

Originally a variety that was on the Arakawa river bank in Tokyo. The petals are twisted irregularly. The color of the outside of the petals and buds is dark at beginning of bloom shade out to pink-purple flowers after flowering.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Versicolor’/ Cherry var. Yae-akebono/ ヤエアケボノ八重曙

Yoro-zakura

It is a variety planted in the Osaka Mint Bureau. Since there are few documents on this variety and the naming process is not well understood. It is a beautiful white.

Cerasus jamasakura ‘Yoro-zakura’/ Cherry var. Yoro-zakura/ ヨウロウザクラ養老桜

Yugure

It was said to become beautiful at sun set time and got its name. It is a large pink petal with a fragrance, and the number of petals is about 10 and it tends to be drooping.

Cerasus serrulata ‘Yougure’/ Cherry var. Yugure/ ユウグレ夕暮