Week 3
Discussion
About the Seven Flowers of Autumn
Poetic Source
The earliest and most revered book of poetry in Japanese literature is Man’yōshū (literally 10.000 poems), an anthology of waka (Japanese poetry) assembled in the Nara period (710 - 784) sometime after 759. Consisting of 20 volumes, it contains over 4,500 poems, most of which were written in the period 600 - 759. The identity of the compiler of Man’yōshū, is uncertain, but Ōtomo no Yakamochi (718 - 785) is thought to be the last of possibly several. A statesman and waka poet, Yakamochi is one of Japan's Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry, a group of outstanding poets from the Asuka, Nara, and Heian periods selected by Fujiwara no Norikane (1107–1165).
The picture below depicting Yakamochi was painted by Kanō Tan'yū (1602 - 1674) in 1648.
One of the poems in Man’yōshū written by Yamanoue no Okura (660? – 733?) is the earliest reference to the Seven Flowers of Autumn (Aki-no Nanakusa 秋の七草), a collection of plants thought to be the most representative of the season.
Here is the poem:
Often associated with Aki-no Nanakusa are the Seven Herbs of Spring (Haru-no Nanakusa 春の七草), all wild edible herbs. They are Patrinia scabiosifolia, Miscanthus sinensis, Platycodon grandiflorus, Dianthus superbus, Eupatorium fortunei, Pueraria lobata, and Lespedeza.
Aki-no Nanakusa is my painting subject for this and the next three lessons; two plants among the seven for each of the first three lessons, and one for the fourth lesson. This week, we will start with Japanese pampas grass (susuki) and Chinese bellflower (kikyō).
Japanese Pampas Grass
Susuki, also known as Chinese silver grass, is classified as Miscanthus sinensis in Latin. It is an herbaceous perennial grass that forms dense clumps that typically grow from 3 to 7 feet tall. In rare cases, it can grow as much 13 feet.
Cultivars have spread worldwide, and it has escaped into the wild in some areas of North America where it is known as fairy grass and is taking over areas with native goldenrod. Invasive species is also a problem in Japan, so controlled burns are conducted annually in some areas to protect susuki.
Susuki grows green in the summer, but its silky flowers turn gold and silver in the autumn.
Susuki is preferred for nesting by paper wasps.
Japanese pampas grass grows in many areas in Japan. One of the most popular for visitors is on the outskirts of Hakone in Kanagawa Province. The western slope of Mt. Hakone is covered with it. The Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field there is famous.
Japanese pampas grass is often displayed during October as part of moon watching (tsukimi) celebrations. It is said to bring good health.
The print below is by Ohara Koson (1877 - 1945), a shin-hanga artist who specialized in kachoga (birds and flowers paintings).
Chinese Bellflower
The Latin name for the Chinese bellflower is Platycodon grandiflorus. It is sometimes also called the Japanese bellflower.
While 5-pointed flowers are most common, 4 and 6-pointed flowers also occur. Plants typically grow 24-inches tall but can reach up to 3 feet. The flowers range from 2 to 3-inches across. It comes in purple, white, and pink varieties. There are many cultivars.
Another common name for kikyō is balloon flower because of the balloon-shaped flower buds.
In the language of the flowers, Platycondon is a symbol of friendship. It can also symbolize endless love and honesty.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the kikyō's turnip-like roots are used as a remedy against respiratory problems and for the regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol.
In Japan, kikyō flowers are the basis for the kikyōmon or kikyō seal. It is used by as the family crest by some clans. The basic seal is shown below along with two variants used by the Toki clan (and others) and Ōta clans respectively.
There are at least 20 kikyōmon, many of which are quite elaborate, but all are based on kikyō. See Kikyō mon (Japanese crests)
for more information.
Katsushika Hokusai (1760 - 1849) made a number of kachoga (birds and flowers) prints. The bellflower and dragon print below is one of them.
