Outline of Exhibition

Traditional Primroses
展示物イメージ

The Botanical Garden of Everyday Life has held primrose exhibitions under the title “Traditional Primroses” since 2002.

 “Traditional Primroses” refers to a series of primroses of many varieties that were produced from the unique flowers found in the wild by plantsmen from the middle of the Edo Period. The colors of the flowers vary from red to white, and the shapes of the petals also vary from flat to pincer-shaped. These primroses with their variety of colors and petals will be exhibited along with an innovative display of how primroses were traditionally appreciat ed— the unique, tiered primrose display stand having been donated in 2003 .

This year’s exhibition also features the theme “Primroses and Pleasures,” introducing the ways in which the people of old Edo sought the enjoyment of primroses through the “Edo meisho hana koyomi” (Edo Flower Calendar) and other flower calendars published later as well as ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Panels will illustrate the characteristics of districts such as Ogunohara, renowned for its view of primroses, and Senju, Shitaya, and Sugamo, famous for their gardeners. Also on display will be double-flowered varieties produced in recent years and collected in 2007, wild species collected in 2010, and new flowers collected between 2013 and 2015.

Period Apr 11 (Tue), 2017- May 7 (Sun), 2017
Venue Botanical Garden of Everyday Life, National Museum of Japanese History
Admissions ¥100
Groups of 20 or more: ¥50 per person
* Free admission for children junior high school age and younger
* Free admission for high school students every Saturday
Hours 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (no entrance after 4:00 p.m.)
Closed Apr 17 (Mon), 24 (Mon)
* The garden will be open on Monday, May 1.
Sponsor National Museum of Japanese History

Exhibition Lineup

Most primroses will be displayed in pots — two for each variety, and each containing four buds— in several locations: the tiered primrose display stand, around the Azuma-ya, in two greenhouses, and in the Yoshizu exhibition hall. The primroses cultivated in the Edo period will be displayed on the display stand.

The double-flowered varieties produced in recent years, wild species, and new flowers will be displayed in a dedicated corner as well as in planters around the Azuma-ya.
Primroses will be displayed in planters in front of the Museum entrance to advertise the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life.

Panels will be displayed in the Azuma-ya, illustrating the ways in which the people of old Edo sought the enjoyment of primroses through flower calendars and ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Primroses will be displayed in planters in front of the museum entrance, serving as an introduction to the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life.

Display in plastic greenhouse

Tiered Primrose Display Stand

Tiered Primrose Display Stand

Tiered Primrose Display Stand

Tiered Primrose Display Stand

Display in plastic greenhouse

Shishigashira

Azuma-ya display

 Komadome

Ekagami

Janomegasa

Ekiro no suzu

Hikaru Genji

Suzugahara

Hokutosei

Shirousagi

Ochibagoromo

Hokutosei

Hikaru Genji

Akegarasu

Hokutosei

Hamachikage
(Double-flowered)

Ochibagoromo

Maimomiji
(Double-flowered)

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