Like the cherry tree and chrysanthemum, the morning glory is a representative flower of Japan. They are believed to have been introduced there directly from China during the Nara era (710-784).

 

Morning glory was first known in China for its medicinal uses, due to the laxative properties of its seeds but the Japanese were the first to cultivate it as an ornamental flower. During the Edo period of the 17th to 19th centuries, as more people started to live in cities, a fad for growing potted morning glories of different colors and sizes swept through the country. Nurseries competed with each other to cultivate rare and unusual mutations of flowers. 

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Japan experienced a number of morning glory booms particularly in the latter part of the Edo period, namely in the Bunka, Bunsei, and Tempo eras (1804 - 1844), Kaei and Ansei eras (1848 - 1860), and Meiji and Taisho eras (1868 - 1926). During these booms a large diversity of variations of leaves and flowers could be enjoyed. Some of them were overshadowed by simple large-blossomed morning glories and became extinct before becoming popular. However, some have been conserved by hobbyists and have survived to this day.

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In early summer, large morning glory markets are held in large cities in Japan. To the Japanese it has come to symbolize summer in both horticulture and art.