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蛍葛[Hotarukazura] Lithospermum zollingeri

蛍[Hotaru] : Firefly

葛[Kazura] : Creeping plant; also written as 蔓

Native to East Asia. It grows in a bright thicket. The grass is about twenty centimeters tall, and spreads out with long runners (creeping branches,) each time putting out roots. The name was given because the pale blue flowers, which bloom sparsely and abundantly in the shade of other plants and trees, are like fireflies. The flowers have a rather strong scent, but it is not a bad odor.

It is said to be declining in its numbers in many areas. For the time being, it still seems to be safe in the places I visit.

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

朴の木[Hoonoki] Magnolia obovata

The tree is well over twenty meters tall and produces the largest leaves and flowers in our country. This one is its young tree, about forty centimeters tall, but as it grows, it will be difficult for people to look down on it from above. These leaves were tender and beautiful.

九時の電車で、いよ／＼伊那へ。 トンネル、トンネル、トンネル、天龍川がちらり／＼。 十時、天龍峡駅下車、姑射橋附近の眺望がすぐれてゐる、枝垂桜、朴の若葉がよかつた、遠く連峯には雪がかがやいてゐる。 何となく憂欝、コツプ酒をひつかけてごまかす外なかつた。 十二時の電車で私は伊那へ運ばれていつた、電車はこゝろよく走る。――

[Kuji no densha de, iyoiyo ina e. Tonneru, tonneru, tonneru, tenryūgawa ga chirari chirari. Jūji, tenryūkyō eki gesha, koyakyō fukin no chōbō ga sugurete iru, shidarezakura, hoo no wakaba ga yokatta, tooku renpō niwa yuki ga kagayaite iru. Nan to naku yū'utsu, koppu-zake wo hikkakete gomakasu hoka nakatta. Jūniji no densha de watashi wa ina e hakobarete itta, densha wa kokoroyoku hashiru. ――] I finally take the train leaving at nine o'clock to Ina. Tunnel, tunnel, tunnel, and (between them) I can see glimpses of the Tenryū river. At ten o'clock, I got off at Tenryūkyō station, where I had an excellent view of the Koya bridge area. Shidarezakura and young leaves of Hoo were good. The mountain peaks in the distance are glistening with snow. I was somewhat depressed and had to drink sake in a cup to take my mind off it. The train leaving at twelve o'clock carried me to Ina. The train runs comfortably. ―― From May 3 (sunny) in Travel Diary by Taneda Santōka https://maps.app.goo.gl/aiC696uMXX7SLajTA Source: https://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/000146/files/49784_39690.html (ja)

#nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

浦島草[Urashimasō] Arisaema thunbergii subsp. urashima

It seems that "they" have started fishing.

It is also one of the genus Alisaema. It grows in slightly moist areas in the shade of well-ventilated forests. The leaf stems are about 50 to 60 centimeters tall with around 10 leaves that spread in the shape of an umbrella. At the bottom of them, one or several about 20 to 30 centimeters tall spathe (flower) bloom in this time of year. The whip-like appendage extending from the spathe that can be over 60 centimeters long serves to attract flies and other insects for pollination. The sight of them blooming in clusters is a little hard to believe that they are flowers. It makes me imagine that perhaps they are talking to each other when no one is looking.

It is so named because its shape resembles an angler. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tarō https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/4040008/

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

瓜楓[Urikaede] Acer crataegifolium

It is so named because its bark is green and looks like the skin of a gourd. There is also a species named 瓜膚楓[Urihadakaede](Acer rufinerve; 膚 means skin,) which is confusingly named for the same reason, and both are endemic to Japan. But their leaves are different in shape, and in autumn, the leaves of Urikaede turn yellow and those of Urihadakaede turn red.

Another name is 白箸木[Shirahashinoki], which means the wood as material for 白箸(White chopsticks.) It is also confusing because wooden chopsticks left in their original state are also called by the same name. 木[Ki] means wood or tree.

By the way, entremets in Japanese cuisine are called 箸休め[Hashiyasume](lit. what to rest the chopsticks.) https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2019362/

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

武蔵鐙[Musashiabumi] Arisaema ringens

This is also a member of the genus Arisaema. It gets its name from the shape of its spathe, which resembles an abumi.

武蔵[Musashi] : The name of the erstwhile province consisting of Tokyo, Saitama and eastern Kanagawa

鐙[Abumi] : Stirrup

(This is a scene of Azuma kudari, or Traveling East, from Ise Monogatari) https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/52988

昔、むさしなる男、京なる女のもとに、「きこゆればはづかし、きこえねばくるし」と書きて、うはがきに、「むさしあぶみ」と書きておこせて後、音もせずなりにければ、京より、女、 武藏鐙 さすがにかけて 賴むには 問はぬもつらし 問ふもうるさし とあるを見てなむ とへばいふ 問はねば恨む 武藏鐙 かかる折にや 人は死ぬらむ

[Mukashi, musashi naru otoko, kyō naru onna no moto ni, "Kikoyureba hazukashi, kikoeneba kurushi" to kakite, uwagaki ni, "Musashi-abumi" to kakite okosete nochi, oto mo sezu nari ni kereba, kyō yori, onna, "Musashi-abumi, sasuga ni kakete tanomu niwa towanu mo tsurashi tou mo urusashi" to aru wo mite nan, "Toeba iu towaneba uramu musashi-abumi kakaru ori niya hito wa shinu ran"] A long time ago, a man who was to live in Musashi sent a letter to a woman in Kyoto, writing, "I feel awkward to tell to you, but it is hard not to," with the superscription "Musashi-abumi" written on it. After not hearing for a while, the woman from Kyoto had written to him, "Musashi-abumi, I still (like a metal fitting for attaching the abumi in Musashi) trust you, but it is hard not to ask, and it is annoying to ask" he saw that it was written, "If I send her a letter, she complains, if I don't, she resents me, Musashi-abumi, I guess people die in situations like mine right now" From Ise Monogatari https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tales_of_Ise Source: https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1109206/1/16 (ja)

Well, abumis are on both sides of the horse to put the feet on.

#flowers #nature #japan #tanka #nihongo #original photography #langblr

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十二単[Jūnihitoe] Ajuga nipponensis

十二[Jūni] : Twelve

単[Hitoe] : Single layer

十二単 used to mean the wearing of many layers of garments, but eventually came to mean the formal attire of a noblewoman. This plant is so named because its flowering form is likened to it. The shape of the flower is similar to that of Kiransō(Ajuga decumbens). It is common for the grass to exceed twenty centimeters in height. There is also a type with white flowers. Endemic to Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jūnihitoe

By the way, hitoe is also written as 一重. For example, 一重梅[-ume](Single-petaled ume), 一重結び[-musubi](Half-knot), 一重瞼[-mabuta](Eyelid with no fold), etc. And then, 二重[Futae](Two layers), 三重[Mie](Three -), 四重[Yoe](Four -), 五重[Itsue](Five -), 六重[Mue](Six -), 七重[Nanae](Seven -), 八重[Yae](Eight -), 九重[Kokonoe](Nine -), 十重[Toe](Ten -), 二十重[Hatae](Twenty -), 百重[Momoe](One hundred -), 千重[Chie](One thousand -), 幾重[Ikue](Multiple -), etc.

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

山吹[Yamabuki] Kerria japonica

太田左衛門太夫持資は上杉憲政(政真)の長臣なり。鷹狩に出で雨に合ひ、ある小屋に入りて蓑をからんといふに、わかき女の何とも物をばいはずして、山ぶきの花一枝折りて出しければ、「花を求るに非ず」とて怒て歸りしに、是を聞し人のそれは「七重八重花はさけども、山ぶきのみのひとつだになきぞ悲しき」といふ古歌のこゝろなるべしといふ。持資おどろきてそれより歌に志をよせけり。

[Ōta Saemon-no Taifu Mochisuke wa Uesugi Norimasa(Masazane) no chōshin nari. Takagari ni ide ame ni ai, aru koya ni irite mino wo karan to iu ni, wakaki onna no nan tomo mono woba iwazu shite, yamabuki no hana hito eda orite idashi kereba, "Hana wo motomuru ni arazu" tote ikarite kaerishi ni , kore wo kikishi hito no sore wa, "Nanae yae hana wa sakedomo, yamabuki no mi no(mino) hitotsu da ni naki zo kanashiki" to iu koka no kokoro naru beshi to iu. Mochisuke odorokite sore yori uta ni kokorozashi wo yose keri.] Ōta Mochisuke is a senior member of Uesugi Norimasa(Masazane)'s family. When he went a falconry and got caught in the rain, he went into a hut to borrow a mino, straw raincoat. A young woman, without saying a word, broke off a branch of yamabuki flowers and offered it to him, then he said, "I did not ask for flowers," and left angrily. Someone who heard this said that (she must have conveyed) the heart of the old waka poem, "Seven and eight flowers bloom, but yamabuki is sad because it does not bear even a single fruit (Another meaning: I am young and look like this, but poor and alone, I sadly do not have even a mino, single straw raincoat. * 身の一つだに[mi no hitotsu da ni] could also mean "I am alone, so...") He was shocked and then went on to study waka poetry.

雪玉實隆の歌に、「雨にきるみのなしとてや山吹の露にぬるゝは心つかしを」、後拾遺和歌集、「小倉の家に住侍るころ雨ふり侍りける日、みのかる人の侍りければ、山吹の枝を折てとらせ侍りけり。心もえでまかり過て」、又の日「山吹心得ざるよし」いひおこせて侍りける、返しにいひ遣しける、兼󠄄明親王、「七重八重はなはさけども山吹のみのひとつだになきぞかなしき(あやしき)」。

[Setsugyoku Sanetaka no uta ni, "Ame ni kiru mi no(mino) nashi tote ya yamabuki no tsuyu ni nururu wa kokorozukaji wo", go-shūi waka-shū, "Ogura no ie ni sumi haberu koro ame furi haberi keru hi, mino karu hito no haberi kereba, yamabuki no eda wo orite torase haberi keri. Kokoro mo ede makari sugite", mata no hi "Yamabuki kokoroezaru yoshi" ii okosete haberi keru, kaeshi ni ii tsukawashi keru, Kaneakira-shinnō, "Nanae yae hana wa sakedomo yamabuki no mi no(mino) hitotsu da ni naki zo kanashiki."] In Sanjōnishi Sanetaka's private collection of poetry, Setsugyoku-shū, "Yamabuki, which has no fruit (no mino, straw raincoat, to wear) in the rain, does not mind getting wet with dew." And in Go-shūi Waka-shū, Later Collection of Gleanings of Waka Poems, "When Prince Kaneakira was living at his house in Ogura, one day it rained and someone came to borrow a mino, straw raincoat, so he broke off a branch of yamabuki and gave it. The person left without understanding why," and on another day (because it was on his mind,) he sent a messenger saying, "I do not understand the meaning of that yamabuki," then Prince Kaneakira responded, "Seven and eight flowers bloom, but Yamabuki is sad because it does not bear even a single fruit (Another meaning: I am a member of the royal family but living in the mountain and poor, so I do not have even a mino, single straw raincoat. * 九重[Kokonoe], ninefold, means the Imperial Palace) From 常山紀談[Jōzan kidan] by 湯浅 常山[Yuasa Jōzan](1708-1781) Source: https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/908050/1/10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōta_Dōkan

山吹[Yamabuki] and 山葺[Yamabuki](葺 means thatch, and this could also be read as an abbreviation for "Poor house in the mountain Ogura"), 蓑一つ[Mino hitotsu](One straw raincoat) and 実の一つ[Mi no hitotsu](Only one fruit) and 身の一つ[Mi no hitotsu](The body alone). Such a technique of expression is called 掛詞[kakekotoba]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakekotoba

Whether this is a true story or not is not certain, but it is a well-known anecdote. https://ccdl.claremont.edu/digital/collection/cyw/id/351

The double-flowered yamabuki does not bear fruit. However, this is a horticultural variety. I do not know if it existed in the distant past. I think this expression perhaps mean that there are many single-petaled flowers. The single-petaled yamabuki produces inconspicuous fruits, though.

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

山桜[Yamazakura] Cerasus jamasakura

行きくれて 木の下かげを やどとせば 花やこよひの あるじならまし

[Yuki kurete ko no shitakage wo yado to seba hana ya koyoi no aruji naramashi] If the sun sets on my journey and I stay in the shade of a (sakura) tree as my lodgings for the night, its blossoms will be my host for tonight. By 平 忠度[Taira-no Tadanori] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Heike#Chapter_9 (Soldiers from the Genji side knew who he was because he had a tanzaku, book of poetry, on which he had composed this waka poem)

ねがはくは 花の下にて 春しなん そのきさらぎの もち月のころ

[Negawaku wa hana no shita nite haru shinan sono kisaragi no mochizuki no koro] If my wish comes true, I want to die under the (sakura) blossoms in spring, around the full moon of Kisaragi(the second month). By Saigyō

散る櫻 殘る櫻も 散る櫻

[Chiru sakura nokoru sakura mo chiru sakura] The sakura blossoms are constantly scattering. The blossoms that remain on the branches now are also destined to scatter. This is said to be by Ryōkan, but it is not known for sure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_poem#Japanese_death_poems

Taking the opportunity, speaking of "under the sakura tree," there is this story. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3367928-in-the-forest-under-cherries-in-full-bloom

#flowers #nature #japan #culture #tanka #haiku #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

双葉葵[Futabaaoi] Asarum caulescens

双葉[Futaba] : Two leaves

葵[Aoi] : Wild ginger, hollyhock, mallow

It grows in dimly lit areas of forests. It is so named because one stem divides in the middle and produces two leaves. It has small flowers like mushroom caps around this time of year, but I could not confirm it this time. As mentioned above, there are several plants with the name Aoi, but this one is wild ginger, or one of the genus Asarum.

葵祭[Aoi matsuri](Aoi festival, or Kamo festival) in Kyoto is so called because the 双葉葵紋, the crest of 賀茂神社[Kamo jinja], is displayed in various places. Another name of Futabaaoi is Kamoaoi. 紋[Mon] means crest, 神社 means shrine. And, it is also the design motif of the crest of Tokugawa clan, the 三つ葉葵紋. 三つ葉[Mitsuba] means three leaves. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Crest_Futaba_Aoi.svg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aoi_Matsuri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_clan

#nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

有明菫[Ariakesumire] Viola betonicifolia var. albescens

有明[Ariake] : Dawn

菫[Sumire] : Violet

It was blooming on a low mountain path after a rain. The small, around two centimeters in diameter, but white flowers stood out well on the soil, which had been darkened by the wetness.

A similar looking species is 白菫[Shirosumire](White violet, V. patrinii), has a petiole longer than the leaf blade, and the petiole has wings, therefore, I identified this one as such this time. The white type of 菫[Sumire](V. mandshurica) is also similar, but Sumire has a longer spur than this one.

有明の つれなく見えし わかれより 曉ばかり うきものはなし

[Ariake no tsurenaku mieshi wakare yori akatsuki bakari uki mono wa nashi] The dawn sky looked heartless, since that time of our parting (when you heartlessly turned me away), for me, there has been nothing more distressful than the daybreak. (Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, No. 30) By 壬生 忠岑[Mibu-no Tadamine] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mibu_no_Tadamine

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

白藪華鬘[Shiroyabukeman] Corydalis incisa f. pallescens

白[Shiro] : White

藪[Yabu] : Bush, thicket

華鬘[Keman] : A decorative item for the inner sanctuary of the Buddhist temple

The most common of this type is 紫華鬘[Murasakikeman](Incised fumewort, C. incisa), whose flowers are purple in color, and this one is its white flower type. The complete white flower type is called 雪藪華鬘[Yukiyabukeman](f. candida). 紫[Murasaki] means purple, and 雪[Yuki] means snow. They grow about from 20 to 50 centimeters tall and has a foul odor when the leaves and stems are rubbed, and are poisonous.

The name "-keman" is said to be so named because the flowers look like a keman. The flowers, similar to those of Engosaku(Corydalis tuber) in the same genus, are interesting in their own way, but they are what is called a weed, and are commonly found on roadsides during this time of the year, so not many people take the time to appreciate them. This white one is rare and Yukiyabukeman is very rare, though. https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/569166

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

耳形天南星[Mimigatatennanshō] Arisaema limbatum

耳[Mimi] : Ear

形[-gata|Kata] : Shape(d)

天南星[Tennanshō] : Cobra lily

There are some flowers that remind me of that spring has entered its latter stages, and some members of the genus Arisaema are among them.

Yesterday was a nice sunny day, so when I went into the low mountains in the afternoon to observe plants, they were standing under naked trees and on sunny banks. In particular, this one was glowing with the sun tilting to the west at its back like a singer on stage, as if to say, "Take a picture of me.

And, that "they" began to put up parasols in preparation for fishing. When they start doing it, I will upload a picture of them.

This species is so named because the outer parts of the spathe look like earlobes. This one was about 40 centimeters tall, but larger ones grow to about twice that. Another name of Tennanshō is 山人参[Yamaninjin](Mountain carrot.) Their humorous appearance is fun to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42FWYRkDzMU

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

里桜[Satozakura] Cerasus Sato-zakura Group

The horticultural variety of sakuras based on Ooshimazakura(Cerasus speciosa) is called Satozakura(Sakura in the village,) of which this is one. The name is 鬱金[Ukon](‘Grandiflora’, turmeric.) It is so named because the color of its petals resembles 鬱金色[Ukon-iro](the color dyed with turmeric.) It produces large double-petaled flowers later than other sakuras.

Sakura with yellow petals are commonly known as 黄桜[Kizakura]. 黄[Ki] means yellow. In Kyoto, there is a sake brewing company that bears the name. It is said that the former presidento of the company named it after his fondness for the flower.

いかでわれ この世の外の 思ひ出に 風をいとはで 花をながめむ

[Ika de ware kono yo no hoka no omoide ni kaze wo itowade hana wo nagamen] As a memory before going to the netherworld, how should I go about viewing the (sakura) blossoms without hating the wind? By Saigyō

#flowers #nature #japan #tanka #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

花海棠[Hanakaidō] Malus halliana

花[Hana] : Flower

海棠[Kaidō] : Crabapple

This is from my garden. Somewhere in my heart, I seem to find melancholy beauty in these flowers in nodding figures, wet from the pre-dawn rain and illuminated by the morning sun. That one in the photo I took last year was also wet from the rain. Of course, I am not the only one who is attracted to the beauty that is somehow felt in them.

海棠はいつでも雨を待つている花であつた。あでやかな色に一杯の憂をためて、上を向かないで、いつもうつむいて、雨を待つてる花であつた。

[Kaidō wa itsudemo ame wo matte iru hana de atta. Adeyaka na iro ni ippai no urei wo tamete, ue wo mukanaide, itsumo utsumuite, ame wo matte iru hana de atta.] Kaidō was always a flower waiting for rain. It was a flower waiting for the rain with its fascinating colors filled with melancholy, never looked up and always lying face down. From Zassō zatsugo by Kawai Kanjirō Source: https://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/001906/files/58094_63079.html (ja)

盛りいみじき海棠に、 灑ぐも重し春の雨、 花の恨か喜か、 問はんとすれど露もだし、 聞かんとすれど花いはず。 夕しづかに風吹きて、 名殘の露は拂はれぬ、 風の情󠄁か嫉みにか、 問はんとすれど露もだし、 聞かんとすれど花いはず。

[Sakari imijiki kaidō ni, sosogu mo omoshi haru no ame. Hana no urami ka yorokobi ka, towan to suredo tsuyu modashi, kikan to suredo hana iwazu. Yūbe shizuka ni kaze fukite, nagori no tsuyu wa harawarenu. kaze no nasake ka netami ni ka, towan to suredo tsuyu modashi, kikan to suredo hana iwazu.] On the flowers of Kaidō, which are now in full bloom, the spring rain is pouring heavily. Do the flowers resent or rejoice in it? I try to ask, but the dewdrops fall silent, and I try to listen, but the flowers say nothing. Wind blowed quietly in the evening, and the remnants dewdrops were swept away. Is it the wind's mercy or jealousy? I try to ask, but the dewdrops fall silent, and I try to listen, but the flowers say nothing. From Kaidō by Doi Bansui https://www.ndl.go.jp/portrait/e/datas/6063/ Source: https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1684495/1/24 (ja)

Although there are many more, I presented just two this time.

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

大島桜[Ooshimazakura] Cerasus speciosa

Compare with Yamazakura(Cerasus jamasakura):

Flowering time is slightly later

Longer peduncles

No hairs on the peduncles

The peduncles are green, those of Yamazakura are reddish

The leaves are green, those of Yamazakura are reddish

The leaves are used to roll sakuramochi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakuramochi

Both of them produce flowers and leaves simultaneously. And, these flowers and leaves smell good. 大島 is the name of an island in Tokyo.

かぐはしき 櫻の花の 空に散る 春の夕べは 暮れずもあらなむ

[Kaguwashiki sakura no hana no sora ni chiru haru no yūbe wa kurezu mo aranan] On (this) spring evening with fragrant sakura blossoms scattering in the air, I also think it would be nice if the night did not come. By 良寛[Ryōkan]

花にそむ 心のいかで 殘りけむ 捨果ててきと おもふ我身に

[Hana ni somu kokoro no ikade nokori ken sute hatete ki to omou wa ga mi ni] Why does a heart attached to the (sakura) blossoms still remain in me, even though I was supposed to have left everything behind? By 西行[Saigyō]

#flowers #nature #japan #culture #tanka #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

照手桃[Terutemomo] Prunus persica ‘Fastigiata’

照手[Terute] : Name of a legendary princess

桃[Momo] : Peach tree(Prunus persica)

This is an ornamental peach bred by the Kanagawa Prefectural Agricultural Research Institute. While normal momo has branches that spread horizontally, those of this one are upright and broom-shaped. Another name is 箒桃[Hōkimomo](Broom peach.)

Today, 11 April, is the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar, and in the past, one of the 五節句[Go-sekku](the five annual ceremonies,) 上巳[Jōshi], was held this day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosekku

睦月七日[Mutsuki Nanoka] The seventh day of the first month (16, February) 人日[Jinjitsu], 七草の節句 七草[Nanakusa](Seven herbs)

弥生三日[Yayoi Mikka] The third day of the third month (11, April) 上巳[Jōshi], 桃の節句 or ひなまつり[Hinamatsuri]

皐月五日[Satsuki Itsuka] The fifth day of the fifth month (11, June) 端午[Tango], 菖蒲の節句 菖蒲[Shōbu](Sweet flag)

文月七日[Fumizuki|Fuzuki Nanoka] The seventh day of the seventh month (10, August) 七夕[Shichiseki|Tanabata], 笹の節句 笹[Sasa](Bamboo grass)

長月九日[Natatsuki Kokonoka] The ninth day of the ninth month (11, October) 重陽[Chōyō], 菊の節句 菊[Kiku](Chrysanthemum, aster) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugetsu_Monogatari#Kikka_no_Chigiri_(菊花の約,_The_Chrysanthemum_Pledge)

#flowers #nature #japan #culture #nihongo #original photography #langblr

[konjaku]

油瀝青[Aburachan] Lindera praecox

油[Abura] : Oil

瀝青[Chan] : The origin of this name is unclear, as there are several theories; it is also written as 歴青 and also read as rekisei, and means coal tar.

It grows in slightly moist thickets. It is a deciduous tree in the same genus as Kuromoji(Lindera umbellata), from 5 to 6 meters tall, and produces spherical yellow fruits about less than 2 centimeters in diameter in autumn. From these fruits, oil was taken to be used as lamp oil. The branches are dense and hard, so they were used to make walking sticks.

Another name is 萵苣[Chisa|Chisha|Jisha]. There is also a theory that this one was corrupted into "Chan". Well, this is complicated because it is also another name for Chishanoki(Ehretia acuminata), Iwatabako(Conandron ramondioides), Egonoki(Styrax japonica), Retasu(Lettuce, Lactuca sativa), etc.

#flowers #nature #japan #nihongo #original photography #langblr