Discussion

Nanten (Heavenly Bamboo or Sacred Bamboo)

In spite of its name and its physical appearance, nanten is not a bamboo. It isn't even a member of the grass family (Poaceae) like real bamboos. Instead, it is a type of barberry (Berberidaceae). The Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is shown below.

Brought to the U.S. for ornamental use in gardens, it has escaped into the wild in many eastern states where it is now considered to be an invasive species. It is especially known as a shelter for ticks and should be avoided for that reason. Massachusetts has banned its commercial distribution, and other states are considering doing the same thing.

Heavenly bamboo, nanten in Japanese and Nandina domestica in Latin, is similarly regarded. Brought to London in 1804 and to the U.S. in the early 1800s, it is a beautiful ornamental plant in gardens, particularly in the fall when its leaves turn red, but it is a spreading pest in the wild. It is classified as a category 1 exotic invasive plant in Florida where it is displacing native vegetation.

The nanten in this photo, taken in the Portland Japanese Garden, is the plant next to the corner of the tea house in the center of the photo.

Japanese think that nanten in gardens brings good luck and avoids misfortune.

Here is a closer view of a nanten.

Nanten can grow up to 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. There are numerous cultivars, many of which are smaller than the base plant. The berry's can be either red or white. As attractive as the plant may appear visually, all parts of it are toxic, particularly the berries.

The berries contain concentrations of hydrogen cyanide, and can sicken pets and be deadly to birds and animals that eat quantities of them. Cedar waxwings are particularly susceptible to its poison. The USDA recommends that the berries be removed and destroyed.

Artwork

Gardens aren't the only uses for nanten as the bonsai below demonstrates.

Ikebana flower arrangements make use of them, too.

Ogata Gekkō (1858 - 1920)

One of the earliest Japanese artists to gain international attention, Gekkō was a self taught ukiyo-e artist. The print below was produced in 1898.

Jo (Yuzuru Hashimoto)

Little is known about this early 20th century artist other that he flourished in the 1920s to 30s and was probably part of the shin-hanga movement to restore traditional themes and techniques to Japanese art.