SEPTEMBER - Japanese Flower Calendar
T Seven grasses or flowers of Autumn. Akiko-no-nanakusa
The seven grasses or flowers are
Bush clover. Hagi
Pampas. Susuki sometimes call miscanthus
Arrowroot. Kuzu
Pink. Nadeshiko
Patrinia. Ominaeshi
Thorough wort. Fuji-bakama
Chinese bellflower. Kikyo
These flowers were present in the gardens of the aristocracy in the Heian Period (794-1185) all had a use in the house, and inspired poets and artists. This collection of seven grasses are mentioned in the early poetry of Japan, again like the cherry blossom , they invoke feelings of great beauty tinged with sadness. The grasses washed by the rain and bent by the wind as the year draws to a close talks of the end of life and feelings of sadness. This combination is also used in traditional Ikebana to produce the same feelings as the poetry and in Autumn tea ceremony celebrations.
Haiku for Akiko-no-nanakusa
Flowers blooming
In Autumn fields
When I count them on my fingers
They then number seven
