Outline of Exhibition

Japanese Morning Glory - The Tradition
Japanese Morning Glory - The Tradition

The mutant morning glory ("asagao") has been a cherished flower since the days of old. Japan experienced repeated morning glory booms, particularly starting in the late Edo era (the imperial eras Bunka, Bunsei, Kaei, and Ansei (1804-1830,1854-1860)) and on into the Meiji and Taisho eras. Each time the flower's popularity resulted in the creation of variants as breeders took pleasure in creating diverse new leaves and flowers and combinations.

In terms of present-day genetics this constitutes the discovery of mutations and the establishment of different strains, which is unusual when viewed from a worldwide perspective, especially since a great many varieties were created around the end of the Edo period. Unfortunately, however, some of these variants were overshadowed by more colorful large-blossomed morning glories, and so disappeared before they could become well known. But though they weren't widely cultivated, a number of varieties have survived to the present day due to their careful preservation as a result of the efforts of some enthusiasts.

On eight occasions since 1999 the National Museum of Japanese History has exhibited such mutant morning glory specimens produced since the Edo period using unique knowledge and techniques. We hope that exhibiting the morning glory will make this flower better known among the general public, as well as draw attention to the relationship between people and plants. This year's special program shares the same objectives, focusing on the "colors" and "patterns" of the morning glory. We will also have on display an apetalous (petal-less) morning glory discovered by the Museum in 2005.

Period Jul 24 (Tue) - Sep 2 (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
Hours 9:30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (no entrance after 4:00 p.m.)
* The Garden will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (no entrance after 4:00 p.m.) from Aug 21 (Tue) - 26 (Sun).
Closed Jul 30 (Mon), Aug 6 (Mon), 20 (Mon), and 27 (Mon)
Sponsor National Museum of Japanese History

Exhibition Lineup

Morning glories in pots cultivated and bred at the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life will be displayed in the Garden's greenhouse, Azuma-ya and Yoshizu exhibition hall. This year's display features a new section on "Colors and Patterns of the Morning Glory."

We will time the display of the plants listed below to coincide with flowering.

  • Mutant morning glories: 43 masaki strains and 20 demono strains (including the apetalous morning glory discovered by the Museum in 2005)
  • Large-blossomed morning glories produced since the Meiji period: About 22 strains
  • Mutant morning glories hybridized and bred since the Heisei period: About 6 strains
  • Closely related species of morning glories produced in Europe: About 5 strains (displayed in planters)

Greenhouse  exhibits

Greenhouse exhibits

Large-blossomed, brown: Yellow / cicada leaf / chestnut brown / fully open / large-blossomed (Danjuro)

Large-blossomed, brown: Yellow / cicada leaf / chestnut brown / fully open / large-blossomed (Danjuro)

Large-blossomed, pale blue, striped: Yellow / speckled / cicada leaf / pale blue / striped / fully open / large-blossomed

Large-blossomed, pale blue, striped: Yellow / speckled / cicada leaf / pale blue / striped / fully open / large-blossomed

Cup flower(crepe), bluish gray, double: Yellow, crinkled leaf / bluish gray / fukiage / cup flower / double

Cup flower(crepe), bluish gray, double: Yellow, crinkled leaf / bluish gray / fukiage / cup flower / double

Delicate, wisteria purple, double: Green / filamentous willow / wisteria purple / delicate / double

Delicate, wisteria purple, double: Green / filamentous willow / wisteria purple / delicate / double

Apetalous, double: Green / dragonfly / delicate cordate / apetalous / double

Apetalous, double: Green / dragonfly / delicate cordate / apetalous / double

   

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