To Rose Breeding
To me, breeding roses is like writing poetry. I sow countless seeds, patiently watching them grow over time, seeking to find and bring forth the hidden words within them.
I spend much of my time watching the many seedlings from roses I’ve crossbred or that have naturally pollinated. In my case, I often crossbreed wild roses, which usually take several years to bloom. As a result, I mostly observe only the branches and leaves of the seedlings. I’ve become highly attuned to the differences in their branches, leaves, and thorns, and I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in these elements themselves. Amid these details, I search for something that resonates with my heart—a subtle spark that catches my eye.
I believe the most important quality for a breeder is having an eye for beauty—a true sense of perspective. No matter how wonderful a rose may bloom before you, it means nothing if you don’t have the eyes to recognize it. It’s also about having the ability to notice and choose beauty that others may not yet see. Personally, I try to maintain a certain distance from the perspectives of economic rationality or practicality, as I feel that pursuing them too much risks losing something essential. The wild roses I crossbreed seem to stand apart from such concerns. I feel the charm of these wild roses lies not in their flamboyance but in their simplicity, something that can only be understood by approaching them with a calm heart. I wish to keep watching this quiet beauty.
Though I haven’t been breeding roses for long, about two years ago, I encountered a rose that I truly found beautiful. I named it after my daughter: “Tsugumi”
In kanji, it’s written as “継実”and it carries the meaning of passing down and preserving important things, like seeds or fruit. My wife and I chose this name together, hoping that our daughter would grow to embody this idea.
This rose carried something distinctly Japanese, and my thoughts naturally drifted to my daughter. At the same time, I found myself hoping that perhaps I could leave my love for her in this rose. Someday, I hope my daughter will look at this rose and feel that she was loved.
Perhaps breeders can give form to their feelings through plants and breeding. Yet, regardless of the breeder’s feelings, there is hope that the rose may continue to live on. I dream that, in a distant future, this rose may bloom in some corner of the world.
