The Daigo Flower Viewing (醍醐の花見, Daigo no Hanami) was an extravagant party that occurred on April 20, 1598, during the Japanese Warring States period. The entourage occurred around the medieval capital, starting at Fushimi Castle and taking place at the Sanbō-in part of Daigo-ji. Daigo-ji has been famed for its cherry blossoms since the Heian Period, and Hideyoshi Toyotomi loved attending cherry blossom viewings during his lifetime. He personally visited and helped renovate the temple grounds.
Prior to the social gathering, the Korean Campaigns had failed and the participants had returned to Japan. Hideyoshi's own health was ailing. Hoping to dispel political tensions regarding his formal successor and to restore morale, he summoned for 1,300 influential lords to attend the flower viewing. The flower viewing commemorated the first public appearance of Hideyori, Kōdai-In, and Lady Yodo; for many of those attending, it was their first ever glimpse of the named figures. Maeda Gen'i was responsible for providing accommodations for a luxurious tea ceremony, poetry sessions, women entertainers, and a second change of clothing for the noble women present. Since so many women connected to Hideyoshi and Toshiie were also in attendance, it is the only time that they are historically recorded by name in diaries and records noting the occasion.
The Daigo Flower Viewing would be the last time that many influential figures would see Hideyoshi alive. He died about five months after this occurred; his death and Toshiie's passing catapulted another period of wars over his legacy. Koei media tends to associate the Daigo Flower Viewing as the last celebration of Hideyoshi's attempt at unification and foreshadowing for the Tokugawa's rise to power.
Appearances in the Games
- Nobunaga's Ambition series (including spin-off Nobunyaga no Yabou)
- Taiko Risshiden series
- Samurai Warriors series, often during Hideyoshi and Nene's personal endings (including the TV series)
External Links
- Hotaikou Hanami Gyoretsu - modern day observation and celebration of event
- Daigoji Cultural Assets Archive