Uhee Suzuki: The Man Who Blossomed Cherries in Potomac #41

A Pioneer of Japanese Horticulture

　“Modern Kamata (蒲田) 
　exists because the Kamata Iris Garden (蒲田菖蒲園)
　once thrived here.”

This bold statement
isn’t simply poetic
—it captures the historical weight
of one man’s remarkable vision:
Uhee Suzuki (鈴木卯兵衛).
Born in Chiba Prefecture (千葉県) on May 28, 1852
(Kaei 5),
and passed away on November 23, 1910
(Meiji 43)
Suzuki was more than a gardener.
He was a horticultural entrepreneur,
a cultural ambassador,
and a quiet force of transformation
in Japan’s modernization.

As the driving mind
behind the Yokohama Ueki Nursery Company 
(横浜植木株式会社),

Suzuki helped bring Japanese plants
to global audiences,
establishing Japan as a serious player
in international horticulture.

His firm gained international recognition,
even earning the Grand Prize of Honor
for its bonsai (盆栽) exhibit
at the 1910 (Meiji 43) Japan-British Exhibition.

But it was Suzuki’s pivotal role
in the 1912 gift
of cherry blossom trees
to Washington, D.C.
that secured his legacy
as a symbol of diplomacy
through nature.

Acting as both facilitator and steward,
he oversaw the meticulous selection,
preparation, and transport
of thousands of trees
from Tokyo to the Potomac River.

Today, those cherry blossoms
remain not just a tourist attraction
but a living symbol of peace, friendship,
and cultural connection
between Japan and the United States.

And yet, Suzuki’s most transformative act
for his home city
came almost unintentionally.

Seeking more land for iris cultivation,
he decided to relocate his crowded iris nursery
from Isogo (横浜市磯子)
to a quiet village called Kamata
in Ota‐City, Tōkyō (東京都大田区).

What began as a practical expansion
would unexpectedly lay the groundwork
for the urbanization of Kamata itself.

Suzuki's story isn’t just about flowers.

It’s about how a single person’s dedication
to beauty, craft, and international goodwill
helped reshape landscapes—
both literal and societal.

The Kamata Iris Garden:
A Blooming Catalyst for Change

　In 1903 (Meiji 36),
　Uhee Suzuki’s need for a new location
　led him to establish the Kamata Iris Garden
　in the then-rural town of Kamata,
　located in the Ōta‐City, Tokyo.

　What began as a simple garden
　became something far greater,
　catalyzing not just the development
　of the local area

　but also the creation of vital infrastructure
　that would transform Kamata
　into a thriving urban center.

　The garden itself was an extraordinary site—
　a 3.3-hectare paradise 
　bursting with colorful irises,
　peonies, and wisteria.

　It wasn’t just a garden;
　it was a cultural hub and
　a symbol
　of Japan's blossoming horticultural expertise.
　
　The beauty of the flowers
　drew visitors from across Tokyo,
　and soon, the garden became
　a major tourist attraction.

　As the garden’s popularity surged,
　a pressing issue arose: transportation.  　

　While Kamata already had a station
　on the Keihin Electric Railway 
　(京浜急行電鉄),
　it lacked direct access to the
　more central Tōkaido Line (JR東海道線),
　which was a vital connection 
　for broader commerce and travel.

　Recognizing this gap,
　the local mayor, Sōzaemon Tsukimura 
　(月村惣左衛門),
　petitioned authorities for a new station,
　and in 1904 (Meiji 37),
　Kamata Station on the Tokaido Line opened,
　providing much-needed accessibility.

　This railway development
　was a turning point for Kamata.

　As a result of the garden’s success
　and the new station,
　businesses began to flock to the area. 　

　By 1914 (Taishō 3),
　Kamata’s industrial transformation
　had already begun
　with the establishment of factories,
　such as the Kurosawa Shōten (黒澤商店)
　typewriter factory.

　The area’s proximity
　to central Tōkyō
　made it an attractive location
　for industries and cultural ventures,
　including the iconic
　Shochiku Kamata Movie Studio 
　(松竹キネマ蒲田撮影所)
　in 1920 (Taishō 9).

A City Sprouts: Kamata's Industrial
and Cultural Bloom

　The opening of Kamata Station
　was a turning point,
　ushering in an era
　of unprecedented growth
　for the area.

　Its newfound accessibility,
　coupled with its proximity
　to central Tokyo,
　made Kamata an attractive location
　for new businesses.

　The corporate influx began swiftly.
　In 1914 (Taishō 3),
　Kurosawa Shōten
　opened a factory for domestic typewriters,
　signaling Kamata's
　emerging industrial presence.

　But perhaps the most iconic arrivals
　came in 1920 (Taishō 9):
　the establishment
　of the Shōchiku Kamata Movie Studio,
　a sprawling 3-hectare complex
　that would become the heart
　of Japanese cinema,
　and the founding
　of Takasago Perfumery (高砂香料)
　(now Takasago International Corporation)
　right next door.

　These major advancements
　transformed Kamata
　from a quiet agricultural village
　into a dynamic, multifaceted urban hub,
　thriving not just in industry,
　but also in leisure and culture.

A Legacy That Endures

　Though its existence was relatively short-lived,
　spanning about two decades,
　the Kamata Iris Garden
　undeniably laid the
　"foundation of Kamata."

　It closed sometime
　during the Taishō or early Shōwa period,
　eventually making way for rice paddies

　before the current Ota City's
　Kamata Elementary School
　was constructed on its former grounds
　in 1937 (Shōwa 12).

　Today, tangible reminders
　of Suzuki's project persist.
　The Ayame Bridge (あやめ橋) 
　(Ayame meaning iris) gracefully spans
　the Nomigawa River,
　its handrails adorned
　with delicate iris designs.

　Nearby,
　the "Ayame Bridge" bus stop
　serves as a vital landmark.

　Both stand as enduring tributes,
　preserving the memory
　of the once-vibrant
　Kamata Iris Garden
　and its profound influence.

　Suzuki never intended
　to spark urban development;
　his goal was simply to expand
　his horticultural operations.

　Yet the massive popularity
　of the garden triggered a series of events—
　beginning with the creation
　of Kamata Station—
　that fundamentally reshaped the area.

　While his primary aim was horticultural,
　the garden's immense popularity
　created the magnetic pull
　that directly led to the establishment
　of Kamata Station
　and, consequently,
　the area's explosive industrial
　and cultural development.

Thus, he deserves recognition
as a key figure
who, perhaps unwittingly,
shaped modern Kamata.

His name and remarkable accomplishments
are a fundamental chapter
in the history of Ota‐City, Tokyo,
and it's imperative that his legacy
continues to be celebrated
and passed down through generations.　

My Take: Educating Future Generations　

　It's my firm belief
　that the stories of local heroes like
　Uhee Suzuki (and others like 
　Tanigoro Kawata (川田谷五郎) ,
　a pioneering local inventor in #29)

　should be an integral part
　of the curriculum in elementary and
　middle schools here in Ota‐City, Tokyo.

　Their contributions are the very bedrock
　of our local history
　and the development
　of this vibrant community.
　
　Learning about the actions and tireless efforts
　that shaped their neighborhoods
　would not only instill a deep sense
　of local pride in our children
　but also inspire an appreciation
　for the pioneering spirit
　that continues to define our city.

#かえる11号
#Otapedia
#デジタルアーカイブ
#SDGs11
#大田区
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#園芸輸出組織
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#日本初の植物貿易会社
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#サンフランシスコ支店
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