Abstract

In Japan, rose breeding was not practiced until around the mid-19th century. It was in the late 19th century, with the hobbyist cross-breeding of rose species introduced from outside Japan, that the improvement of Japanese rose varieties began to flourish. Transitioning into the mid-20th century, this effort was spearheaded by Seizo Suzuki of Keisei Rose Nurseries, who aimed to elevate Japanese rose breeding to a global level. Since then, young rose breeders, both professional and amateur, have been actively pushing forward with their breeding efforts. Among them, Takunori Kimura has determined breeding directions based on recent rose cultivation trends, actively introducing world-class varieties with a focus on disease resistance. Moriji Kobayashi had been challenged to create true blue colored roses for about 50 years and bred some light purple varieties. The Japanese brewing company began developing blue roses through genetic recombination and released one in 2004.
The number of application varieties for registration has been increasing after since the revision of the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act in 1978. Currently, about 30 new varieties bred by Japanese breeders are applied for each year under the Act.

Biography

Yoshihiro Ueda is the project manager of World Rose Convention Promotion Office in Fukuyama and a director of Gifu World Rose Garden. He obtained his PhD in taxonomic research on the genus Rosa on 1993. Long involved in research and teaching on rose genetics and breeding at the Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University, he became a professor at Gifu International Academy of Horticulture in 2005. He has visited many countries, including China, Laos and Iran, for research on rose genetic resources. He is chairperson of the juries for Gifu International Rose Competition and the International Fragrant Rose Trial.

In this lecture, I would like to introduce you to the history of Japan’s rose culture, which spans several centuries. Generally, it is understood that roses were brought to Japan from the West during the Meiji era (1868–1921). However, through my analysis of historical Japanese paintings, I have discovered that the Japanese have cherished and depicted roses since ancient times, and roses have been an important plant in Japan. Why has such a remarkable fact remained unknown until now? It is because the preconceived notion that roses are a Western plant has hindered the understanding of Japan’s traditional rose culture.
The aim of my lecture is to dispel this misconception by providing a historical overview of roses depicted in Japanese paintings and to convey the beauty of Japan’s rose culture and the aesthetic expression of rose paintings to the world.
For example, Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, constructed in 1603, features 11 fusuma (sliding door) paintings depicting roses. Particularly noteworthy is the depiction of red roses in the highest-ranking room of Nijo Castle, the “Ichinoma.” This indicates how significant the rose was as a plant. My research has also revealed that almost all major Japanese painters have depicted roses. Through this lecture, I hope to allow everyone to appreciate the magnificent historical rose paintings of Japan.

Biography

Dr. Nobuo Shirasuna, Ph.D. in Environmental Symbiosis
Assistant to the President at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, Professor at Kobe International University
Major Works:
　　Flower Festival Commemorative Park “World’s Best Rose Garden”
　　Huis Ten Bosch “Rose Garden”
　　ACAO FOREST Rose Garden
　　Others

Major Awards:
　　World Federation of Rose Societies Award of Garden Excellence for “Akao Herb & Rose Garden”
　　World Federation of Rose Societies Literary Award for “THE ROSE GARDEN”
　　Japan Institute of Landscape Architecture Award for Rose Garden Design
　　Second Place and Special Design Award at Belgium’s “Ghent Floralies” International Garden Show
　　Others
Numerous Publications

Abstract

Among the16 wild roses native to Japan, the first to be given a scientific name was Rosa multiflora Thunb., named by a Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg in 1784.
I would like to tell the stories of roses originating from R. multiflora, first in Sweden in 2024, and then in Fukuyama in 2025. In Sweden, I would like to take up Polyantha roses, and in Fukuyama, Rambler roses.

Biography

Dr. Yuki Mikanagi (PhD, Agriculture) is a curator of the herbarium and head of the department of botany of the Natural History Museum & Institute, Chiba (Japan), past-chairperson of the WFRS Conservation and Heritage Committee, a judge at the International Fragrant Rose Trials in Echigo Hillside Park (Japan), a board member of the NPO Rose Culture Institute and the Japan Horticultural Society.
Born in Chiba, Japan, she studied biology at Japan Women’s University and horticulture at Chiba University. When she was a postgraduate student at Chiba University, Mr. Seizo Suzuki (1913-2000), a prominent rose breeder, supported her research in many ways, and was influential in developing her interest in roses, especially wild roses and old garden roses.
Doctoral Thesis:
　　‘A chemotaxonomic study of flavonoids in genus Rosa’
Recent Papers:

The WFRS Literary Award (2022):
　　“The Handbook of Wild Roses in Japan”

Abstract

Part 1. Introduce some wild and unique roses of China which we have collected for all these years, for example, Rosa kwangtungensis（广东蔷薇），Rosa anemoniflora（银粉蔷薇），Rosa chinensis var. spontanea（单瓣月季花），etc. Meanwhile, we will share their distribution areas, current survival status, and experiences in domestication and cultivation
Part 2. Show some diploid Chinese ancient roses we have collected, and how we define Chinese ancient roses;
Part 3. How do some existing ancient Chinese roses originate? Which wild roses are involved in evolutionary research progress? What role did Rosa chinensis var. spontanea（单瓣月季花）, a single petal rose flower，play in the evolution of ancient Chinese roses.
Part 4. Share the hybrid species we have cultivated using wild roses over the years. And how we complete our daily work.

Biography

Zhengzhi Jiang, rose breeder of China, founder of the “Langrosa” brand. He has been focusing on breeding rose plants for nearly 20 years, dedicated to the collection, preservation, and development of wild rose resources. Through years of hard work, He has preserved more than 300 species of wild roses. His main research direction is the cultivation of new rose varieties which are resistant to high humidity and high temperature climates.