Camellia is a well-loved flower in Japan. Indigenous to this country, it is found in every region except for Hokkaido in the north. Many cultivars were produced in the Edo period, from the 17th to 19th centuries, and today there are more than 2,000 varieties. The blooms are charming and richly colored. Besides its uses in bonsai and alcoves at home, we also introduce famous camellia beauty spots in Kyoto and see how camellia brightens up the gardens of ancient temples. Furthermore, how did camellia come to be associated with ladylike qualities in the West? We unravel the history and discover applications from bridal hairpieces to nail art.
