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Meaning & History
Kiri is the Japanese word for the Paulownia tree, specifically referring to P. tomentosa; it is also known as the "princess tree" after princess Anna Paulowna, queen consort of The Netherlands (1795–1865), daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia.It was once customary to plant a Paulownia tree when a baby girl was born, and then to make it into a dresser as a wedding present when she married. Paulownia is the mon of the office of prime minister of Japan and also serves as the emblem of the cabinet and the government (vis-à-vis the chrysanthemum being the Imperial Seal of Japan).It is one of the suits in hanafuda, associated with the month of December.