The Samurai’s Camellia

Once revered by Samurai, the Higo camellia faced extinction. Join Graham on his journey to uncover its history and share his personal connection to this esteemed flower.

Over 35 years ago, as we cleared the lantana, privet, and other unwanted undergrowth from the old, neglected garden we had recently purchased in Sydney, I was captivated by the discovery of a mature camellia nestled within a tangle of weeds. Little did I know, this unassuming find would lead me on a journey into ancient Japan and the rich history of the Higo camellia.



The Higo camellia, a distinct variation of the Camellia japonica species, stands out with its irregular single petals and striking central mass of stamens and petaloids. These exquisite flowers have a rich history deeply intertwined with the traditions of Japan.



Originally cultivated by the esteemed Samurai during the Edo Period (1603-1867), the Higo camellia held a special place in Japanese society. Bred meticulously by the Samurai to please their Shogun masters, these flowers became symbols of prestige and honour. The Samurai—as the highest-ranking social class of their time—dedicated themselves to hybridising new varieties, continually refining them for generations.





Higo Tsubaki



However, the decline of the Samurai class, precipitated by the Meji Restoration, and compounded by the ravages of World War II, brought about a decline in the Higo camellia’s prominence. Yet, in 1958, a beacon of hope emerged with the establishment of The Higo Society in Kumamoto. This marked a pivotal moment in the preservation of the Higo camellia's cultural legacy.



Since then, a resurgence of interest has swept across Japan, America, and Australia, igniting passion for the Higo camellia once more. With renewed enthusiasm, enthusiasts and breeders alike are committed to nurturing and evolving this cherished flower, ensuring that its beauty and significance endure for generations to come.





Higo Shiranui



Throughout my 30 years of travels in Japan, I've marvelled at the ancient garden tea houses once frequented by the Samurai. These quaint structures featured small doorways deliberately designed to deter visitors from entering with long swords. Within these teahouses adorned with the delicate blooms of camellias, Samurai engaged in discussions on artistic pursuits, literature, and poetry before embarking on their journeys into the battles of the Feudal War Lords. Today, some of these historic teahouses have been transformed into elegant restaurants, preserving their rich cultural heritage.



These revered camellias were named Higo for the Higo Province, now Kumamoto Prefecture, of Japan’s most southern island of Kyushu. Higo means ‘fertile soil of the other side’ of Japan.



I discovered that when the Shogun returned power to the Emperor in 1867, it left the elite, fighting force of Samurai unemployed. These sophisticated Samurai started plant nurseries, growing a range of ornamental plants, indeed an honourable profession.





Higo Fuji No Yuki



The Higo camellia was intimately aligned with the Samurai. Known only to them, their families and the Shinto priests who served the Shogun, the Higo camellia had almost sacred status. So that when the Samurai class disappeared, so too did their Higo camellias.



On my travels, I occasionally saw mature Higo camellias in temple gardens and in cemeteries. I learnt that families of fallen Samurai would plant a favourite Higo camellia on the grave as a recognition of their courage and respect for their ancestors.



Recordings of Higo camellia date from 1603. Higo ‘Dewa-tairin’ dates to 1695; it was one of the first Higo camellias to appear in European and American gardens. By 1829, there were thirty Higo camellias growing in Edo, modern-day Tokyo.





Higo Dewa-tairin



With the dropping of two atomic bombs in 1945, and the associated fire-bombing across Japan in World War II, those plantings vanished. Only the ancient capital of Kyoto was spared.



After WWII, a ‘Dig for Victory’ concept was employed by the Japanese Government, especially in Kyoto where all ornamental gardens—along with their Higo camellias—were removed to grow vegetables, soya beans and other crops to feed the population.



The Higo camellia, symbolic of Kumamoto City, adorns a a man-hole cover.



The Higo Camellia Society was formed in 1958 in Kumamoto Prefecture to preserve the cultural heritage of the Higo Camellia. Miraculously, 120 varieties were rescued, resulting in Kumamoto City selecting the Higo as its symbol.



Higo camellia, with their variable, imperfect petal shape, single blooms and central boss of stamens—sometimes fused with petaloids—is what sets them apart from other camellias, makes them unique and highly collectible. Grow them in the garden, in a bonsai pot or cut for Ikebana.



I now believe that the Higo camellia that we unearthed from its coffin of weeds in 1984, is Higo Camellia japonica ‘Shiranui’, which means ‘fishing light on the sea’. It has bloomed in abundance every year since.