Just near Palaceside Building in Takebashi, Tokyo, at the top of Shimizumon in Kitanomaru Park, dogwood is in peak bloom with white and pink flowers. Shigeru Yoshida's statue with cane stands opposite, seemingly admiring the splendid display.
Dogwood is seen everywhere in Japan today, but it is native to North America and northeastern Mexico and was not originally found here. An exotic species, yes — but its arrival in Japan is deeply tied to cherry blossoms.
Cherry trees along the Potomac in Washington, D.C. are now a world-famous hanami spot. About 100 years ago, in 1912 (Meiji 45), Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki sent 3,000 saplings at the request of U.S. First Lady Helen Taft. In return, dogwood came to Japan in 1915 (Taisho 4). About 40 white-flowering saplings were planted in Hibiya Park and Koishikawa Botanical Garden; two years later, 13 pink dogwoods and about 0.5 kg of seed were sent and cultivated. The flower language — "return gift" and "please accept my feelings" — suits a thank-you for cherries sent from Japan.
When the Pacific War broke out, dogwood was shunned as the enemy's flower; by war's end many were forgotten. Asahi Shimbun columnist Hideo Arakaki mourned this and appealed in "Tenjo Jin-go" and Weekly Asahi for dogwood's revival in Japan. Tokyo Rotary Club responded, deciding on a 50th-anniversary project to plant dogwood nationwide; in 1971 (Showa 46), 300 saplings arrived from the Armored Rotary Club in Pennsylvania. After temporary planting in Shinjuku Gyoen, they were transplanted to Kitanomaru Park in October 1973 (Showa 48). Later they spread to the outer gardens and Tokyo Metropolitan Mizumoto Park, and Rotary clubs nationwide planted more.
About 100 years ago, the original dogwoods first brought to Japan reportedly survive as two trees at Tokyo Metropolitan Horticultural High School in Setagaya and one at Koishikawa Botanical Garden.
Dogwood was first named American Yamaboushi because it resembles Japan's native yamaboushi, but as a member of the dogwood family with showy flowers, the name changed to hanamizuki. It does not seem to come from Japanese "love of hanami" as a return gift for cherry blossoms.