I went around Tokyo with my friends from Vietnam today, visiting Shinagawa Aquarium, Asakura, Akihabara, etc. And the most interesting idea I hit upon during the trip was this issue.
Wisteria is a beautiful purple flower which blooms from April to May. But they are not as popular as Sakura for both Japanese people and foreigners so far. When we think of flowers or blossoms of Japan, almost all of us hit upon Sakura, not Wisteria.
But when we think of mountains of Japan, we definitely hit upon Mt. Fuji first. And the name of Wisteria is Fuji in Japanese, the same as the biggest mountain in Japan. This is a tremendously big possibility that Wisteria, or Fuji flower can be the second in the pure recall of Japan's flower/blossom especially by foreigners. Anybody does some campaign or promotion on this attempt?
Ah, well, when I was writing this post, I came to wonder what is the second famous flower in Japan. My sense tells me that the most famous one is definitely Sakura. But what is the second?
Ume?
Chrysanthemum?
Hydrangea?
Wisteria?
Or any other flower/blossom?
It must be an issue I would like to discuss more.