Ihei Ito (1695-1733) is credited with having cultivated this variant of the camellia (Camellia. Sasanqua). Its popularity relates not only to beauty, but to its use to make tea and to produce a lubricant. 

There also is a sweet/bitter story about a beauty loved and, later, cruelly ignored. Admiral Nelson, the British hero, and Emma Hamilton were soulmates. His wish for his nation to take care of her and their daughter were ignored and she was forced to escape England to die in poverty in France. Emma's outstanding beauty and loyalty to Nelson was recognized during 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar - her name was linked to a rose/camellia (see Related Topics).

P.S. Personally I noted that Sasanquas develop into magnificent trees and are more resistant to diseases than other varieties of camellias. (Ed.)