Outline of Exhibition

Traditional Primroses

A traditional primrose

It is said that the cultivation of primroses in Japan began in the middle of the Edo period when plants with unusual flowers were selected from those growing in the wild. The wild primrose has single-petalled flowers, most of which are flat. The primroses that were chosen were not flamboyant types such as those with blooms having petal lobes that are incurving or shaped like grasping hands. It was through the cultivation of seeds from these plants and a process of selection that more beautiful plants were propagated. Sakuraso Sakudenho ("The Method for the Propagation of Primroses") dating from the latter part of the Edo period tells us that primroses were displayed on tiers and that a method of appreciation also emerged which was based on arranging the flowers according to color.

On display during the program are primroses arranged on a tiered stand constructed to resemble a small hut, which would most likely have been built in the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Recently cultivated double primroses also feature in the display.

Period April 17 (Tue) - May 6 (Sun), 2007
Venue Botanical Garden of Everyday Life, National Museum of Japanese History
Admissions

General (elementary school age on up): ¥100
Individuals in groups of 20 or more: ¥50 per person
* Free admission for children up to senior high school age every Saturday
* Free admission on April 29 (Sun), Rekihaku's "Midori no Hi" ("Greenery Day")

Hours 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(no entrance after 4:00 p.m.)
Closed

April 23 (Mon)

Sponsor National Museum of Japanese History

About the exhibit

Ekiro no suzu

Ekiro no suzu

Shiro tombo

Shiro tombo

Tiered stand of primroses (inside)

Tiered stand of primroses (inside)

Note: Please note that items in the exhibition are subject to change.