The Japanese sato-zakura, literally “village cherries”, represent perhaps the most popular subject of dendrology and ornamental horticulture. The authors rose to the occasion to write an extraordinary account of Japanese cherries and shed more light on a still confused group of these aristocratic flowering trees. Kuitert teaches at the Kyoto University of Art and Design while Peterse is a dedicated plant breeder and researcher of the Japanese flowering cherries. Rarely do professors have the time, or take the time, needed to solely write such a thoroughly prepared text. Both Dutchmen paid attention to detail, and the result is a well-written, high-quality product.