It began when a close friend sent a plant from Kyoto to console the heart of Michikatsu NAKANOIN, who was the kuge (court noble) and Gon Chunagon (Provisional Middle Counselor) that defied the order of the emperor and was exiled to Tango.
勅勘をこうむり、丹後に配流となった公家の権中納言中院通勝卿の心をなぐさめるため、親しい友人が京都より苗木を送つたことに始まるといわれる。