The Weeping Cherry Trees of Kakunodate

Weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura) have been a feature of Kakunodate’s landscape since its early years as a castle town during the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868).

Weeping cherry trees are a man-made cultivar and are quite hardy; able to survive for potentially hundreds of years with regular care. The trees are thought to have been introduced to Kakunodate by the Satake-Kita, a family of senior-ranking retainers who served the daimyo lords of Akita domain for most of the Edo period (1603–1867). The Satake-Kita had roots in the old capital of Kyoto and even after moving to Kakunodate, the family continued to conduct business with Kyoto merchants and maintain residences there. This led to a constant exchange of people, culture, and goods between Kyoto and Kakunodate, including cherry trees.