Botany and national identities: The Tokyo Cherry

Area of Science:

• Botany and Plant Taxonomy
• History of Science
• Nationalism Studies

Background:

• The Tokyo Cherry (Prunus × yedoensis) was designated Japan's national flower post-feudalism, despite being a garden hybrid.
• Japanese botanical exploration in Korea during colonial rule linked flora to imperial knowledge.
• A wild cherry discovered in Korea was proposed as the parent of the Tokyo Cherry, aligning with imperialist narratives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the intertwined history of cherry blossom taxonomy, Japanese imperialism, and Korean national identity.
• To investigate how scientific classification of flora was influenced by political and nationalistic agendas.
• To understand the lasting impact of these historical scientific practices on contemporary cherry research.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of botanical records and scientific literature from Japan and Korea.
• Examination of the political context surrounding the naming and classification of cherry species.
• Review of post-WWII South Korean botanical research and national identity formation.

Main Results:

• The proposed parentage of the Tokyo Cherry was scientifically and politically motivated to support Japanese imperial claims.
• Following WWII, the narrative shifted, with the Korean wild cherry being acclaimed as the parent of the Tokyo Cherry, renamed the King Cherry, as part of South Korea's identity search.
• Scientific classification of cherry blossoms became deeply entangled with nationalistic sentiments in both Japan and Korea.

Conclusions:

• The history of cherry blossom classification demonstrates a complex interplay between scientific inquiry, national identity, and political ideology.
• Nationalistic narratives have historically influenced and continue to complicate objective botanical research on cherry species.
• Understanding this historical context is crucial for unbiased future research in cherry taxonomy and conservation.