The Sakura Obsession: The Incredible Story of the Plant Hunter Who Saved Japan’s Cherry Blossoms

Travel in Japan in April and revel in the glorious rainfall of cherry-tree blossoms in hues ranging from snowy white to pink blends. Cherry trees of different varieties have been nurtured and cherished throughout the history of Japan. In this incredible story, Japanese journalist Naoko Abe has researched the evolution of this iconic plant along with its symbolic significance and relates how an English traveler in the beginning 1900s became captivated by the varieties of cherry trees, mostly entranced by the blossoms that he first noted during a visit to Japan. Collingham Ingram, a wealthy English noble, forsook his former passion for birds and suddenly immersed himself in the study of plants and started a collection of Japanese cherry stocks that he planted on his English estate. Since the English climate is similar to that of Japan, he was able to import plants and develop cherry orchards. Through his resourcefulness, he was able to revive the sakura, or cherry blossoms, to Japan when their stock of these indigenous trees had declined or had been destroyed. This book relating the passion of this wealthy eccentric sakura lover and the role of this blossom in the Japanese culture in the course of history makes riveting reading.