Japan’s Seven Herbs of Autumn: The Beauty of Aki no Nanakusa
When travelers think of Japanese flora, the cherry blossoms of spring usually dominate the imagination. However, for the culturally astute traveler, the arrival of autumn brings a more subtle, melancholy beauty known as the Aki no Nanakusa, or the Seven Herbs of Autumn. Unlike their spring counterparts, which are harvested and eaten in a rice porridge to promote health, the autumn herbs are not food. Instead, they are food for the soul—symbols of elegance, simplicity, and the changing seasons meant to be admired visually and poetically.
Origins: A Tradition Rooted in Poetry
The concept of the Seven Herbs of Autumn dates back to the Nara period (710–794 AD), a time when aristocracy and the arts flourished in Japan. While the Seven Herbs of Spring (Haru no Nanakusa) originate from folk medicine and Chinese customs, the autumn selection is purely literary in origin.
The specific grouping derives from the Man’yoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry. The nobleman and poet Yamanoue no Okura (660–733) composed two famous tanka poems that canonized these seven plants. He looked out at the wild fields of autumn and listed the flowers that moved his heart. Since then, these seven plants have become inseparable from the Japanese identity of autumn, appearing in kimono patterns, lacquerware, and classic literature.
The Legend and the List
There is no mythical beast or divine battle associated with the Aki no Nanakusa. The “legend” is the poem itself. Yamanoue no Okura simply listed the flowers, and such was the influence of the Man’yoshu that this list became the definitive standard for over a millennium.
Here are the seven plants that define the Japanese autumn:
- Hagi (Japanese Bush Clover): Often associated with melancholy, its small pink or white flowers cascade down arching branches. It is the most frequently mentioned plant in the Man’yoshu.
- Obana (Japanese Pampas Grass): Also known as Susuki. Its silver, feather-like plumes swaying in the wind are the quintessential image of a Japanese autumn evening, often displayed during moon viewing.
- Kuzu (Arrowroot): While the starch from its root is used in cooking (Kuzumochi), as one of the seven herbs, it is admired for its large leaves and violet trumpet-like flowers.
- Nadeshiko (Large Pink): A delicate, frilled pink flower. The term Yamato Nadeshiko (the ideal Japanese woman) is derived from this flower, symbolizing resilience and grace.
- Ominaeshi (Patrinia or Maiden Flower): This plant features bright yellow clusters of tiny flowers. Its name is often interpreted poetically to mean “flowers that surpass the beauty of women.”
- Fujibakama (Thoroughwort): A plant with small, pale purple flowers. It is rare in the wild today and possesses a subtle fragrance when dried, historically used in sachets for clothing.
- Asagao (Japanese Bellflower): While Asagao usually refers to Morning Glory in modern Japanese, scholars believe Okura was referring to the Kikyo (Balloon Flower). Its deep violet-blue, star-shaped petals represent constant love.
Modern Culture and Appreciation
Today, the Aki no Nanakusa continue to permeate Japanese culture, though often in stylized forms. You will rarely see all seven growing wildly together in a modern city, but their presence is felt in traditional arts.
The Tea Ceremony and Ikebana
In the world of Chado (Tea Ceremony) and Ikebana (Flower Arranging), these flowers are highly prized during September and October. They are arranged in a style called chabana (tea flowers), which emphasizes the natural beauty of the plant as it appears in the field, rather than elaborate, artificial construction.
Moon Viewing (Tsukimi)
The Seven Herbs are intrinsically linked to Tsukimi, the mid-autumn moon viewing festival. Traditionally, a vase containing Susuki (Pampas Grass) and other autumn herbs is displayed on a veranda alongside offerings of rice dumplings (tsukimi dango) to express gratitude for the harvest and appreciation of the moon’s beauty.
Wagashi (Sweets)
If you visit a Japanese confectionary shop in autumn, you will likely find wagashi shaped or branded with motifs of these seven herbs. The delicate sweetness of the bean paste pairs perfectly with the visual representation of a bellflower or bush clover.
Traveler’s Tips: Where to See Them
For travelers wishing to see the Aki no Nanakusa in person, timing is everything. The blooming season generally peaks from mid-September to early October.
Mukojima Hyakkaen Gardens (Tokyo): This is perhaps the most famous spot in Japan for the Seven Herbs. Established in the Edo period, this “Garden of a Hundred Flowers” was created specifically to feature blooming plants mentioned in classical literature. Every autumn, they hold a “Seven Herbs of Autumn Festival” where visitors can walk through tunnels of Bush Clover and see all seven plants in one location.
Kyoto Temples: Many temples in Kyoto cultivate these herbs in their gardens. The wild, rustic aesthetic of the herbs fits perfectly with the wabi-sabi philosophy of Zen gardens. Keep an eye out for Hagi spilling over stone paths in the Higashiyama district.
Botanical Gardens: Most major city botanical gardens, such as the Kyoto Botanical Gardens or the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo, will have designated sections for these seasonal plants.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Man’yoshu: For the original poems by Yamanoue no Okura (Book 8, Poems 1537–1538).
- The Tale of Genji: Murasaki Shikibu often references these flowers to convey the emotional state of her characters.
- A History of Japanese Literature: For context on the Nara period aristocracy.