Discussion

Rohdea japonica

The Japanese sacred lily is not related to true lilies. It is actually a member of the asparagus family. Common names for it besides Japanese sacred lily are Nippon lily (literally: Japanese lily), sacred lily, lily of China, and sacred lily-of-China. The formal Japanese name for R. japonica is omoto.

he Rohdea japonica plant is native to Japan, China, and Korea. Omoto are evergreen, shade loving, perennials that last for decades. The Chinese name for it, Wan Nian Qing, literally means ten thousand years green. 

Omoto plants spread through rhizomes--underground stems from which new plants sprout at joints--making good ground cover. All the plants produced that way are genetically identical clones.

Omoto also spread through seeds. The plant's tight clusters of small, greenish-white, bell-shaped blossoms are often hidden, though they are easily seen in the photo below. They appear in the late winter and early spring, growing on short stems near the base of the plant.

Here is a closer look.

It was once thought that tiny snails and slugs, attracted by a strong, sweet, yeast-like or fermented odor during flowering, were the primary pollinators.

Modern research has learned that tiny ants are actually responsible for most omoto pollination, though snails and slugs may still be of some use that way, too.

The blossoms mature into bright red berries by the fall and last many months throughout the winter.

The berries and leaves are toxic to humans and pets. For the same reason, they are immune from predation by rabbits and deer in gardens. When used as house plants, they should be kept out of the reach of children.

The red or orange berries set against the deep green leaves (complimentary colors) are very attractive, the main reason for Japanese interest in the plant that arose especially around 1600 and has continued ever since. Japanese cultivation has led to many varieties. Compare the mostly solid-colored leaves in earlier photos to the white-edged leaves in the photos just above and below.

Omoto's pleasing appearance, especially when the bright red berries are present, and longevity has led Japanese to think of it as a "sacred" good luck plant. It is a popular housewarming gift.

Artwork

Anonymous

This print, produced in 1845, is a surimono, a high-quality print on special paper. Surimonos, usually printed in limited quantities, were often commissioned for special purposes by private groups. Some were calendar prints with disguised features designed to evade government restrictions that officially allowed only licensed publishers to print calendars. This print featuring a housewarming omoto doesn't appear to be a calendar print.

Un'ichi Hiratsuka (1895 – 1997)

Hiratsuka was a leader in the early 20th century Sōsaku-hanga (Creative Prints) movement, the core philosophy of which was that the artist should be solely responsible for every aspect of the print making process as opposed to the collaborative teams usually involved in print making. This omoto print was produced in the 1940s.