Abstract: The rutin degrading enzyme, which was specific for releasing the disaccaride rutinose from the flavonoid glycoside rutin, was purified from the flower buds of the Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica linnaeus). The crude enzyme did not act on methyl ?-D-glucoside, hesperidin and cellobiose. The crude enzyme from the Japanese pagoda tree was also accompanied by low ?-glucosidase activities. Based on these results, it was suggested that this enzyme is specific for rutin. This enzyme had an optimum pH value between 4.0 to 7.0, and under 50?C, while it was stable below 5?C.