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Acer
palmatum
ICNCP Name: 'Tatsuta-gawa'
Formerly 'Tatsuta gawa'
The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) establishes the rules and regulations for proper naming of plants. When different, the cultivar database displays the correct(ed) ICNCP name, rather than its previous cultivar name.
Japanese Maple Classification:
Matsumurae Group
Hardiness Zone (for guidance only):
5 to 9
立田川, Tatsuta-gawa, is the 1882 spelling for the epithet. This probably corresponds to an archaic spelling of the homophonic 竜田川, Tatsutagawa in Heguri, Nara, though both spellings are valid. 立田姫, Tatsuga-hime or Lady Tatsuga, is the patron of dyeing and weaving, but also of wind. In autumn she dyes the rich colors of the maples, only to turn to wind and blow away her work. In keeping with her name -- literally "rice paddy" -- offerings of rice are made on behalf of children during their festivals, to bring good fortune. In any case the river has a deep history an connection with maples: in the Heian, Ariwara no Narihiria (825-880 CE) wrote: "Even in the age / of the mighty gods, / such a thing was unheard of: / that the Tatsuta River would tie-dye its waters / in deepest crimson." The poem is included in the famous Kokin Wakashū anthology, published by Imperial order around 905 CE. Of specific note to maple lovers is the use of the Imperial Chinese deep Crimson, "kurenai" in the work. Lady Tatsuta is mentioned in the Tale of Genji and many other seminal writings. (ED)
Tatsuta gawa is a small growing palmatum to about 10', of very old origin. New growth often tipped in red fading to green. It is grown primarily for its outstanding scarlet and crimson fall color. (From the Tatsuta River) (DSN, as Tatsuta)
Date of Origin if known:
1882
Origin if known:
Sekihin Binran
Vertrees/Yano
Information Source:
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