The Regent’s Weeping Cherry
The Weeping Cherry Tree of the Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Taikō Shidare Zakura), situated at the entrance to the Sanbō-in, is an iconic example of its kind. The splendor of the cherry trees of the Daigo-ji is regarded as a major reason for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's decision to restore the temple in the 16th century.
In preparation for the 1598 banquet, Hideyoshi not only rebuilt Sanbō-in but also gathered over 700 cherry trees of various types from the entire region. To commemorate his contribution to Daigo-ji, a cherry blossom viewing event is held annually on the second Sunday of April.
This particular Weeping Cherry Tree was depicted in the painting Daigo by Okumura Togyū (1889-1990), an artist known for his vivid watercolors. The painting is so well-known that it even served as a motif for a stamp. Nearby is the world’s first cloned cherry tree, which was planted in 2004.