An old lady is walking without even using a cane, carrying a load of flowers on her back. Sharinbai looks like that appearance. Written in kanji, it is 車輪梅. The name “sharinbai” (車輪梅) comes from the resemblance of its flowers to plum blossoms and its leaves and branches forming a wheel shape. The flower’s meaning is “the comfort of a gentle breeze.” True to this meaning, the flowers bloom fully and sway in the May wind. Each flower, upon closer inspection, is very beautiful and elegant. From spring to early summer, the old leaves at the bottom turn red as they are replaced by new leaves. The sharinbai is a hardy evergreen that withstands air pollution, heat, and even sea breezes. It is commonly planted in roadside green belts, parks, and along coastal roads. The bark and wood contain tannins, and the brown dye made from the bark is used in the famous Oshima Tsumugi silk fabric from Amami Oshima. Oshima Tsumugi, known for its deep black color and intricate dyeing and weaving techniques, is considered one of the world’s top three silk fabrics.
Lantana has become noticeable here and there. Lantana is a charming plant with small flowers that gather and bloom round like a ball of hands. It begins to bloom around May, withstands the heat of summer, blooms many flowers, and continues to bloom until around November. When lantana begins to bloom, I am overwhelmed with the feeling that I will spend another hot summer with it. Its Japanese name is “Shichihenge” (Seven Changes), derived from the fact that the flowers change their bright colors. Lantana was brought to Japan in the late Edo period for ornamental purposes. The flowers attract many butterflies, and the beauty of the flowers themselves makes them popular among some enthusiasts. Recently, lantana has become more noticeable because wild lantana has started to grow from small gaps in stone walls and roadsides, forming splendid clusters with lovely flowers in summer. In Japan’s outdoors, they often wither in winter without human management, but in tropical to subtropical climates, they can increase from self-seeding unless properly managed, becoming a “plant that should not be planted.” Lantana is selected as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. In Japan, it can grow year-round in places like the Ogasawara Islands and Okinawa, and it can become wild around residential areas and ruins, designated as an invasive species to prevent ecological damage.
We learned about it in high school world history, but there was a conflict called the Wars of the Roses. The Wars of the Roses, from 1455 to 1485, were a civil war over the throne between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that erupted in England after the end of the Hundred Years’ War fought between England and France. The House of York, symbolized by the white rose, and the House of Lancaster, symbolized by the red rose, fought fiercely over the succession to the throne. However, as a result of the war, the House of Lancaster emerged victorious, and thus the red rose became the national flower of England. For England, the rose symbolizes the unification of the country after intense strife. There is a rose variety called “York and Lancaster.” This rose blooms in various patterns on a single plant, sometimes striped with white and pink, sometimes half-and-half, or sometimes mixed. The name of this rose is inspired by the white rose of the House of York and the red rose of the House of Lancaster, named after the historical union of the two houses. Such is the deep relationship between roses and England that, in 1961, the “English Rose,” considered the masterpiece of roses, was born. The English Rose is a general term for roses developed by British breeder David Austin, combining the strengths of modern roses and old roses. It merges the longevity of modern roses with the fragrance of old roses and is beloved by rose enthusiasts around the world, as well as by many others, as a garden rose.
With the rainy season gradually approaching, it is the time when the white flowers of the dokudami bloom. It reminds me of my great-aunt, who lived with us when I was a child, picking the flowers and leaves of the dokudami to make dokudami tea and tincture. Whenever we got bitten by mosquitoes, applying the dokudami tincture was immediately effective, working better than today’s insect bite ointments. I have many memories of dokudami in various situations, and its flower language, “white recollection,” truly embodies this meaning. Despite its rather ominous name, “dokudami” comes from the idea of being an antidote to poison, with “doku” meaning “poison” and “dami” meaning “to suppress.” Dokudami is commonly seen all over Japan and is also widely distributed in China and Southeast Asia. The stems and leaves have a unique odor, and the plant often grows in shady, damp places, giving it a somewhat negative impression. However, it has long been used under the name “juuyaku” (ten medicines) for its diuretic effects, prevention of arteriosclerosis, fever reduction, and detoxification, making it a versatile medicinal plant. The pure white flowers of dokudami that bloom during the rainy season are delicate and charming. In the West, double-flowered varieties and variegated dokudami are cultivated as ornamental plants. In the UK, variegated varieties are known as “chameleon” and are very popular.
The popularity of ramen shows no signs of stopping. Wherever you go in Japan, there are ramen shops, and each shop has its unique flavor, so there’s rarely a miss. Recently, it’s not uncommon to encounter foreigners at these shops. Ramen has become a popular dish worldwide, and the word ‘ramen’ is generally understood even in English. Who was the first person to eat ramen, and when? There was an interesting article in the Yomiuri Shimbun. Traditionally, it was thought to be Tokugawa Mitsukuni, known as Mito Komon, during the Edo period. However, recent research has traced it back to a Zen monk, a prince of Emperor Go-Daigo, in the 1300s during the Nanboku-cho period. This discovery was made because the term ‘keitai-men,’ believed to be the root of Chinese noodles, was found in the monk’s poetry. This new insight is drawing attention as a fresh perspective in the study of the history of the nation’s food. The term ‘keitai-men’ is quite intriguing. At first, I misunderstood it as ‘portable noodles,’ thinking it referred to modern instant ramen. Since I always thought that instant ramen was invented by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods, I considered this a major discovery. However, ‘keitai-men’ actually refers to noodles similar to today’s kishimen, indicating the form of the noodles. Regarding the origin of the word ‘ramen,’ there are various theories, but it seems to come from the Chinese ‘lamian,’ meaning ‘pulled noodles.’ However, it is also said that the term ‘ramen’ became widespread with the release of the world’s first instant ramen, ‘Chicken Ramen,’ by Nissin Foods in 1958 (Showa 33). Instant ramen became a global hit as ‘magic ramen.’ Since then, the annual production of instant ramen in Japan has continued to increase, reaching about 5.723 billion servings in 2018. Invented in Japan and recognized worldwide, instant ramen has even found its way into space. In 2005, instant ramen developed with the participation of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was carried aboard the space shuttle as the first ‘space ramen.
From Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto, heading upstream along the Katsura River and climbing towards the park, you will find ‘Yusai-tei’. Located on the site of the former imperial villa ‘Kameyamaden’ built about 800 years ago, Yusai-tei was originally constructed as the restaurant inn ‘Chidori’ during the Meiji era. It has been renovated by dyeing artist Yusai Okuda into a dyeing art gallery. Since opening to the public in 2021, it has been cherished by visitors from around the world as a special place to enjoy the beauty of Japan, where traditional and modern elements merge. You can also view and observe the creation process of ‘Yume Kouro-zome’, a dyeing work conceived by Yusai. This ‘Yume Kouro-zome’ is a mysterious dye that changes color depending on the light, and you can see how it transforms when exposed to light. Additionally, the beautiful location borrowing the scenery of Arashiyama is captivating, with the Oi River flowing right in front, and you can enjoy the picturesque view of houseboats passing by. Whether it’s the fresh green leaves sprouting in spring, the dense greenery of summer, or the early autumn where patches of red and yellow begin to mix, the scenery viewed through the round window and reflections is truly breathtaking, showcasing various expressions that change with the seasons.
When the cherry blossoms have finished and the wisteria flowers are past their peak, you may see purple flowers blooming in abundance along the edges of farm roads, creating a landscape that looks as if it is covered in a light purple haze. These are Matsuba-unran (pine-leaved toadflax. From now until early summer, they will grow stems about 30-50 cm tall from the ground, with numerous light purple flowers blooming at the tips of the branched stems. Matsubaunran is not a plant that has long been native to Japan; it is an introduced species that came from overseas. Its origin is North America, and the first record of it being collected in Japan was in 1941 in the Mukōjima area of Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. Since then, it has rapidly spread nationwide and can now be seen throughout Japan except for Hokkaido. Because its flowers resemble those of the native coastal plant Unran (Linaria japonica) and its leaves are as thin as pine needles, it came to be called Matsuba-unran. The most notable feature of Matsuba-unran is its strong reproductive ability, allowing it to spread quickly. Although the flowers are cute in appearance, it is often treated as a weed. The flowers are very small, about 1 cm, and the plant’s height ranges from 30 cm to 50 cm. Its slender appearance sways gracefully in the wind, making it quite striking. Recently, more people are planting it in their gardens for ornamental purposes, but if it takes root in the garden, it can become difficult to remove.
According to the “Simplified Life Table (Reiwa 4)” by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average life expectancy of Japanese people in 2022 (Reiwa 4) is 81.05 years for men and 87.09 years for women. In 1955, the average life expectancy was 63.60 years for men and 67.75 years for women, both in their 60s. This means that in the 67 years, the average life expectancy has increased by about 17 to 20 years. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare estimates that the average life expectancy in 2040 will be 83.27 years for men and 89.63 years for women, predicting that the average life expectancy of Japanese people will continue to increase. The reasons for the continuous increase in the average life expectancy of Japanese people include: 1. Advances in medical technology, 2. Decrease in infant mortality rate, 3. Improvement in living environments. However, as the average life expectancy has increased, various problems that were not previously experienced have arisen. One example is dementia. When the average life expectancy was in the 60s, many people died before developing dementia. However, with the average life expectancy reaching the 80s, it is natural that more people will develop dementia as brain functions decline. This brings the issue of healthy life expectancy into focus. Healthy life expectancy is an indicator that represents the average period a person is expected to live in good health. In Reiwa 1, the healthy life expectancy for Japanese people was calculated to be 72.68 years for men and 75.38 years for women. Given that the average life expectancy in Reiwa 4 is 81.05 years for men and 87.09 years for women, there is a gap of about 9 to 12 years between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Healthy life expectancy can be extended through dietary habits, exercise habits, and quality sleep. These actions also contribute to daily health maintenance, making it important to engage in them proactively.
While it is not well-known in Japan, the foxglove has been a familiar plant in Europe for a long time. In Europe, it is often found blooming in the wild around lakeshores. Its bell-shaped flowers cluster together gracefully, nodding elegantly in the breeze, earning it the name ‘King’s-elwand’ for its regal appearance. This plant has not only been a popular subject in poetry but also featured in family crests. The Japanese name ‘Kitsune no Tebukuro’ translates to ‘fox’s glove,’ derived from its English name, ‘foxglove.’ Foxgloves bloom at the same time as roses, making them popular companion flowers for rose arrangements. However, despite their beauty, foxgloves are dangerous plants that can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, headaches, and dizziness if ingested. In severe cases, they can lead to heart failure and death. At the same time, foxgloves have been used as a treatment for acute and chronic heart failure from the late 18th century until recently. Most articles about foxgloves highlight their toxicity and their use in heart failure medications. Additionally, foxgloves are planted in the botanical gardens of pharmacy-related universities across the country.
With a pleasant breeze blowing today, May 15th, the Aoi Matsuri, an annual festival of the Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, was held. The Aoi Matsuri, along with the Gion Matsuri and the Jidai Matsuri, is one of the three major festivals of Kyoto. Officially known as the “Kamo Matsuri,” the Aoi Matsuri is characterized by a procession featuring Heian-era court nobles adorned with hollyhock leaves. The procession moves from the Kyoto Imperial Palace through Shimogamo Shrine to Kamigamo Shrine. The procession, including the palanquin of the Saio-dai (a woman chosen to represent the ancient imperial princesses who served at the shrine), consists of over 500 people and stretches over a kilometer. Approximately 35,000 people, as reported by the police, gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the elegant Heian scroll-like parade and to take photos. The origins of the Aoi Matsuri date back more than 1,500 years. During the reign of Emperor Kinmei, a poor harvest and ensuing famine and epidemics prompted the emperor to send imperial envoys to conduct rituals to honor the “Kami of Kamo.” This marked the beginning of the festival, which, being a court event, was carried out primarily by the nobility, thereby preserving a strong aristocratic tradition. In the Heian period, the Aoi Matsuri was synonymous with festivals, being a highly prestigious ceremony referred to as the “Kamo Matsuri.” However, during the Edo period, the ox carts and imperial envoys’ garments were entirely decorated with hollyhock leaves, leading to the festival being commonly known as the “Aoi Matsuri.” The Aoi Matsuri includes preliminary rituals, starting with the Yabusame (horseback archery) ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine (located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto) on May 3rd. This is followed by the Saio-dai Misogi (purification ceremony) on May 4th, the Busha (archery) ceremony on May 5th, the Mikage Matsuri on May 12th to welcome the deities, culminating in the Aoi Matsuri on May 15th.
