# the tidal basin cherry trees **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 18, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tidal-basin-cherry-trees/477803 "2008-12-18T20:46:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tidal-basin-cherry-trees/477803/1 "2008-12-18T20:46:38Z")
is there any wording available about the presentation to the government from the Emperor? If not, does anyone know the official form of the Emperor’s title that would attach to such a gift? His Imperial Majesty? His Highness the Emperor? Your pal, Hirohito? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tidal-basin-cherry-trees/477803/2 "2008-12-18T20:56:00Z")
Weren’t they a present from the people of Japan, not just the Emperor? In any case, the Emperor in 1912 was Yoshihito. Not really any help in answering the OP, however. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tidal-basin-cherry-trees/477803/3 "2008-12-18T21:24:44Z")
The present emperor is styled His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Akihito (in English). At least one newspaper account of the time called him The Mikado. However, the trees were, in fact, donated in the name of the City of Tokyo. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tidal-basin-cherry-trees/477803/4 "2008-12-19T06:33:38Z")
I recall reading somewhere that all the original trees were cut down after the attack on Pearl Harbor but have since been replaced now that we’re buddy buddy again. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tidal-basin-cherry-trees/477803/5 "2008-12-19T08:12:11Z")
No, the trees were not cut down, but the cherry blossom festival was suspended for the war. There were three donations of cherry trees from Japan to Washington, in 1912, 1965, and 1999. Here’s the Wikipedia article about the festival: > **[National Cherry Blossom Festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cherry_Blossom_Festival)** > > The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington, D.C. Ozaki gave the trees to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations. Large and colorful helium balloons, floats, marching bands from across the country, music and showmanship are parts Th... The trees were gifts from Yukio Ozaki, the mayor of Tokyo, to the city of Washington.