Floral Calendar of Famous Places in the Edo
Published: 10th year of Bunsei (1827)
Writer: Sancho Oka

Artist: Settan Hasegawa

This book is a guide to the best spots to view flowers in Edo, published in the late Edo era, the 10th year of Bunsei (1827). The four seasons are divided into 42 headings of the natural elegancy of places such as the blooming period, best spots and the origin of flowers through illustrations. In the Edo era, gardening was a hobby for people of all social standing. Up until that time, flower viewing was an event only for those of high social standing but through the hobby of gardening it came to be enjoyed by everyone. Due to the boom in interest, many guidebooks such as floral calendars and seasonal compendiums were published. Therefore, the best viewing periods drew large crowds.
Tenman Shrine of Kameido is introduced as the best spot for wisteria. In the same manner as modern Japanese view flowers today, various selling stands and people reserving sitting spots with mats are depicted in lively fashion by ukiyoe artist Settan Hasegawa.
On the other hand, people are quietly viewing the changing leaves of maple trees. Kaian Temple, Tokai Temple in Shinagawa and others are noted as famous places for maple viewing. People admired the color gradation, curving branches and beauty of maples while having tea ceremony and composing haikus.
In addition to major flowers such as plums, cherry trees and chrysanthemums, many other flowers are included such as camellias, violets, azaleas, morning glories, lotuses and bush clovers. Also, the sounds of bush warblers, water rails and the insects of autumn as well as firefly viewing, cool evenings, forests, the autumn moon and bare winter trees are introduced as points of seasonal beauty. The area around Edo (presently Tokyo) was rich in nature and this book documents the sense of fun of that time.