Naoko Abe presents her elegant account of the life of Collingwood ‘Cherry’ Ingram, the Englishman who saved Japanese blossoms (sakura) and whose legacy we enjoy every spring. Her book references local connections including Ernest Wilson, Batsford Arboretum and Hidcote Manor Garden. It was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week.

‘You may never look at cherry blossom in the same way again’ Economist

‘a portrait of great charm and sophistication, rich in its natural and historical range.’ Guardian

‘deeply moving book — beautifully written’ Spectator

‘fascinating, a treat for gardeners, cherry-growers and historians.’ Financial Times

‘An engaging biography’ Sunday Times

‘meticulously researched book’ Telegraph

Naoko Abe joined the Mainichi, one of Japan’s major newspapers, in 1981 and was the first woman political writer to cover the prime minister’s office, the foreign ministry, and the defence ministry. In 1990 she represented Japan at the International Women in Journalism conference in Washington. She now works as a freelance journalist/writer in London. She has written books about the British education system and family policies. Her essays include a 15-month series about the ‘history of flowers’ in Mainichi. One essay, Lucy and the Daffodils was chosen as one of Japan’s best essays of 2011 by the magazine Bungei Shunju and was re-published in the book Ningen Wa Sugoina (Amazing Human Beings).

This event is sponsored by Geoffrey and Kathryn White, Westcote House