The plants gathered at Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden were not merely chosen for their beauty; they had cultural selection criteria.

By collecting famous plants sung in Chinese and Japanese classics like the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry) and the Man’yōshū (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), such as Miyagino-hagi (Miyagino bush clover) and Tsukuba-no-susuki (Tsukuba pampas grass), the world of literature was reflected in the garden.

The Sentiment Within the Flowers

Mukojima-Hyakkaen: A Tour of the Plants that Appear in Classic Literature

Sahara Kikuo, the garden’s founder, possessed a deep knowledge of literature and intentionally gathered and planted ‘famous grasses’ mentioned in Chinese and Japanese classics.

This shows that Hyakkaen was not merely a place for flower appreciation but a ‘literary retreat’ where people could deepen their knowledge and enjoy refined tastes.

Let’s stroll through the garden while reflecting on the world of the classics.

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