There is a “Jizouin” in Kita-ku, Kyoto, commonly known as “Tsubakidera”.  Here is a famous camellia tree where you can see flowers of various shades in one tree.  It’s called “Goshiki Yae Santsubaki”.  When the flowers are scattered, the petals of Sasanqua are scattered one by one, while the camellia is characterized by the fact that the whole flower falls off.  This “Goshiki Yae Santsubaki” is a famous camellia tree that Toyotomi Hideyoshi loved because the petals are scattered one by one even when it is scattered.  The current tree is about 120 years old and is second generation, but it is designated as a natural monument designated by the city of Kyoto. It is said that Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who succeeded Nobunaga Oda, presented a tree to commemorate the “Kitano Tea Ceremony” that was held as if he was proud of his power. This Hideyoshi’s tea ceremony, which can be attended by anyone, regardless of whether they are rich or poor, regardless of whether they are a tradesman or a peasant, is truly generous, and everyone would have thought that Tenkabito (the people who controlled Japan) who came out of the common people was different. Sen no Rikyu was in charge of this big tea ceremony, but after that, the crack between the two deepened, and Rikyu finally became seppuku.

京都市北区に通称「椿寺」と呼ばれる「地蔵院」があります。ここに、１本の木に濃淡様々な色合いの花が見られる椿の名木があります。人呼んで「五色八重散椿」。花の散り際、山茶花は花びらが一枚一枚散っていくのに対して、椿は花丸ごとポロッと落ちるのが特徴です。この「五色八重散椿」は、散り際も花びらが１枚ずつ散り美しいと、豊臣秀吉も愛した椿の名木です。現在の木は樹齢約120年の二世ですが、京都市の市指定天然記念物に指定されています。織田信長の跡を継いだ豊臣秀吉が、その権勢を誇るかの様に開いた「北野大茶会」の縁により献木したと云われています。「貴賤に寄らず、貧富に拘らず」、町人だって、百姓だって誰でも望めば参加できるという秀吉主宰のこの大茶会は、さすが太っ腹、庶民から出た天下人は違うと誰しもが思ったことでしょう。この大茶会を取り仕切ったのは千利休ですが、この後、二人の亀裂は深まり、利休は最後には切腹します。