Ancient revered Sanmen Tsubaki to be honoured at Tokyo ICS Congress

One of Japan’s oldest and most revered camellia trees, the Sanmen Tsubaki (the three-sides camellia) of Kumano Shrine, Massaki-cho, Ofunato City, will be recognised as a Significant Historic Ornamental Camellia Tree at the forthcoming ICS Congress in Tokyo in 2025. Written documentation establishes the age of this tree as at least 770 years old, but it is likely to be much older than this (the Buddhist shrine itself was established during the 13th century).  In the modern era, this tsubaki with its single red flowers continued to be a symbol of endurance having survived a typhoon in October 2002. The tree has already received recognition both locally and nationally in Japan, and now will be recognised internationally through these ICS historic ornamental camellia tree awards.

The ICS Committee of Historic Camellia Conservation is still receiving applications which can be considered before the end of 2024.  Details of applications can be found on here.