The rainy season cleared early; near Palaceside Building, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are abloom with summer flowers. Standing out with large blooms and fresh fragrance are the white flowers of southern magnolia around the cherry island and pine lawn — photo taken on the east side of the pine lawn.
Also written 泰山木, 大山木, 大盃木. It seems unrelated to Mount Tai in Shandong, China, but flowers, leaves and form are splendid enough to evoke Tai. The large cup image gives 大盃木.
It feels fully Japanese, but is native to North America, said to have arrived in 1873 (Meiji 6). Ueno Park has a tree planted in 1879 (Meiji 12) by General Grant and his wife on their post-presidency visit — actually the general planted Lawson cypress; the magnolia was planted by his wife.
A summer season word, its flower is a stately white cup a size up from magnolia. Botanical name Magnolia grandiflora — "large flower." Magnolia and lily magnolia are known for scent, but "magnolia fragrance" often means oil from southern magnolia blooms, used in perfumes by Guerlain, Givenchy and others.
Chinese herbal magnolia oil runs 6,000–10,000 yen per 10 ml; said to help hay fever and allergic rhinitis — a few drops on a mask, they say.