The Seven Autumn Flowers

With autumn in motion, we’re soon to be awed by the foliage of the trees, the scent of roasted sweet potatoes, and the sight of the seven autumn flowers,aki no nanakusa (秋の七草).  While Japan has many flowers that bloom throughout autumn, these seven have a cultural significance that has lasted for hundreds of years.  That significance can be found in the pages of the Manyoshu (万葉集), the oldest collection of poetry in Japan that dates back to the 8th century (Nara period). 

It was through a poem composed by Yamanoue no Okura that the seven flowers gained popularity; otherwise, they may have been overshadowed by edible herbs and flowers like the seven herbs (七草の節句), nanakusa no sekku.  Unlike the seven herbs, most of the autumn herbs aren’t meant to be consumed.  They’re a beautiful reminder to slow down and admire the beauty of the changing seasons.  To stop and admire the flowers that herald the arrival of the crisp autumn breezes and the season of harvesting.

The beginning of the seven autumn flowers

This version of the poem comes from Kagoshima Visitors’ Guide

I“秋の野に 咲きたる花を 指折り（およびをり）

かき数ふれば 七種（ななくさ）の花

(Aki-no No-ni Sakitaru Hana-wo Oyobiori

Kakikazoureba Nanakusa-no Hana)

Meaning: When I count on my fingers the flowers that bloom in the autumn fields, I find there are seven.

萩の花 尾花 葛花 瞿麦の花 姫部志 

また藤袴 朝貌の花

(Hagi-no Hana, Obana, Kuzuhana, Nadeshiko-no Hana, Ominaeshi, Mata Fujihakama, Asagao-no Hana)

Meaning: Bush clover, Japanese silver grass, Kudze, Fringed Pink, Patrinia, thoroughwort, and Balloon Flower.

Introducing the seven

Some flower classifications and their names have changed over time, but I will do my best to be as accurate as possible about what Yamanoue no Okura meant when he first wrote the poem.

Bush clover (hagi) 萩の花

There are several bush clover species, but one that is common and most likely the variation mentioned by Yamanoue no Okura is the Miyagino bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii).  This bush clover grows quickly in mountains and riverbanks, and has branches that grow more than 1 meter long.  It can be recognized by its reddish-purple, butterfly-shaped flowers and drooping branches.   While this flower is mentioned the most in Okura’s poetry, its origins aren’t clear according to NHK’s Gardening as a Hobby. 

“Since it does not grow wild, it is thought to have been artificially created, and it is said to have been selected from the hairy bush clover ( L. patens ) distributed in the heavy snowfall areas on the Sea of ​​Japan side of Honshu, or that it is native to China, but its origin is unclear” (Gardening as a Hobby (NHK)).  In addition to beautifying a space, hagi has many uses for the health of soil due to its nitrogen fixation capabilities.  This not only allows hagi to thrive, but it supports other plants growing nearby.  

There is a theory that the name Hagi comes from "Haeki" (生え芽), meaning "sprouting buds," due to its strong vitality in producing new shoots every year, which then transformed into "Hagi."  Also, as indicated by the kanji character 「萩」 (hagi), which combines "grass" (草) and "autumn" (秋), it signifies a representative grass of autumn” (&YOUKAEN).  These beautiful flowers are also great for pollinators and are pretty resilient.  If you’re in the Tokyo area and would love to see bush clovers in person, please check out the Hagi Matsuri (September 19th- October 12th). 

Japanese pampas grass (obana) 尾花  

This autumn flower got its name, tail flower, from the fact that it resembles an animal’s tail.  It is also called susuki grass, which is commonly known as Chinese silver grass.  Obana are commonly found in sunny mountainous areas and tend to grow in clusters.  The most recognizable part of the obana is the flowers that form a plume called kasui.  These flowers are reddish-brown in color and turn into the silvery-white that is commonly associated with autumn. 

According to &YOUKAEN, there are a few theories surrounding the name of this weeping willow-esque plant.  One theory is that it came from the word “susu” すくすく伸びる (suku suku nobiru) to refer to the way it grows quickly.  Another theory is that it evolved from the word suzuki (洲々草).  One of the meanings of 洲 (su) is delta where pampas grass grows well, and 草 (kusa), which means grass.  

In addition to its adorable name, did you know that obana played an important role in building houses?  Traditionally, obana were used to create thatched roofs.  “In addition to being used as roofing material, it is also used as animal feed, compost, local toys such as pampas grass owls, charcoal bales, straw sandals, and brooms. It is deeply ingrained in the lives of the Japanese people, and it is said that in the past, there were "kayaba" (thatched fields) next to settlements where it was harvested, and it was carefully maintained by people” (Chuo Ward Tourism Association, 2025).  Obana is definitely not a thing of the past; it can often be seen adorning tables during moon-viewing events, as it is thought to be a dwelling place for gods, and is even believed to help ward off evil.  Allow me to explain.

Due to the shallow stem of the pampas grass, since ancient times many believed they were yorishiro (依代), an object occupied by a kami.  Its leaves are also thought to have a spiritual significance.  The razor-sharp edges of the leaves are thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits.  With both of these elements combined, it’s no wonder why obana is offered during moon-viewing festivals.  It represents a bountiful harvest and protection from evil.   

Japanese arrowroot (Kudzu) 葛花

Kudzu, also known as Japanese arrowroot, is a climbing vine that is commonly found in mountains and fields throughout Japan. This plant has reddish-purple flowers, three large oval/heart-shaped leaflets, large tubers, and is said to have a sweet scent.  Unlike many of the other autumn flowers, kudzu can be consumed, and its roots, stems, and leaves all have culinary and medicinal purposes.   “The English “kudzu” derives from the Japanese kuzu, which is both the name of the plant and the name of a people who are thought to have lived along the Yoshino River and cultivated and traded kudzu in ancient times.

Thus, Yoshino kuzu, as it is known locally, enjoys a long-established pedigree as a food and thickening agent and has other uses as well. In the past, fibers made from the root were also used to produce clothing, while kudzu leaves were used for livestock feed” (Japan Tourism Agency).  Kudzu has many uses that you wouldn’t expect from this wisteria-esque plant.  It can be used to treat colds in the form of kakkonto or kudzu tea.  It can even be used to create arrowroot powder, noodles, and even mochi.  While the most distinguishing part, the flowers, are often hidden by its large leaflets, you are sure to have seen or smelt them in your local park or on a walk through the forest.  

Japanese pink (Dianthus superbus) (Nadeshiko)瞿麦の花 

If you think these flowers resemble carnations, you would be correct to think that way.  Nadeshiko and carnations are both part of the Caryophyllaceae family.  Nadeshiko are typically pale pink, though you can occasionally find white ones, with five petals that look like lace at the tips.  They can be found in grasslands and mountainous areas and can grow up to one meter tall.  Nadeshiko are commonly associated with the color pink and are called yamato nadeshiko.  However, nadesehiko can also come in shades of red, white, and purple.  This term, while originally meant for flowers, has often been used to describe the ideal Japanese woman: feminine, graceful, beautiful, modest, with a quiet determination.

“The name Nadeshiko is said to be derived from "nadeshi-ko," meaning "a child to caress and love."  This name was given because Nadeshiko's delicate and lovely flower form felt as endearing as one's own child.  In the Heian period's "The Tale of Genji," there is a scene where Genji compares his beloved daughter to Nadeshiko, indicating that this flower symbolized parental love for a child” (&YOUKAEN).  In addition to simply being beautiful, nadeshiko flowers also have anti-inflammatory properties.  They can help the digestive system, urinary system, lower blood pressure, and help with bacterial infections (Mountain Herb Estate).  

Patrinia (Ominaeshi) 姫部志 

Ominaeshi are beautiful golden flowers that are typically found in sunny places such as open fields and mountains.  If you’ve ever visited Japan during the autumn, you’ve definitely seen them brightening up the surroundings on a gloomy day.  Ominaeshi aren’t just one big flower; they are many small yellow flowers that are peppered along the stems of the plant that live up to its English name, Golden Lace Flower.  

“The name Ominaeshi is said to be a combination of "omina," meaning "woman," and "eshi," meaning "beautiful."  The prevailing theory is that it was named this because the flower's beauty was said to be so overwhelming that it could even surpass that of a beautiful woman.

Also, the kanji "女郎花" (Ominaeshi) was derived from this origin” (&YOUKAEN).  This is another autumn flower that has medicinal properties.  In ancient times, it was used for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce fevers.  Despite its beautiful appearance and medicinal properties, ominaeshi emits a rotten soy sauce scent when its dried.

Eupatorium japonicum (Fujibakama) 藤袴

While inedible, this autumn flower is beautiful and fragrant.  Fujibakama has blossoms that come in shades of purple, pink, and mauve that sit in clusters.  It can grow to be as tall as 1.5 meters and has leaves with three distinct lobes that are often glossy.  Like some of its fellow autumn flowers, fujibakama has a sweet fragrance. 

This fragrance is often said to resemble sakuramochi.  For hundreds of years, it was used in perfume sachets, baths, hair products, and more.  The reason it's said in the past tense is that fujibakama is endangered due to modernization and environmental changes.  It is currently classified as a near-threatened species on the national Red List by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan.  

What can you do to help prevent fujibakama from going extinct?

• Participate in conservation efforts like Ritsumeikan University’s Randen Line Fujibakama Project or the Fujibakama Omamori Squad

• Grow your own fujibakama

Where to go if you want to experience fujibakama?

• Attend the Fujibakama Festival in Kyoto.  The event is scheduled to take place on October 16th-19th, but please check the official website for final details.  

While most would assume that fujibakama gets its name from the shape of the flower heads, there is also a legend surrounding the name of these mysterious flowers.  “In an autumn field, a beautiful girl wearing a light purple hakama (traditional Japanese trousers) stood sadly. People were curious about the girl, but her beauty and divine presence prevented anyone from speaking to her. The next morning, a curious villager went to check on her and found that a flower of the same light purple as her hakama was blooming where she had been standing. People whispered that the girl had transformed into a flower, and since then, this flower has been called "Fujibakama" after the color of the girl's hakama” (LOVEGREEN).

Balloon flower (Kikyo) or Morning glory? 朝貌の花

Last but certainly not least, we have a mystery on our hands.  In his poem, Yamanoue no Okura used the word asagao.  While asagao translates to ‘morning glory,’ many don’t think that it refers to the flower we currently know as morning glory.  According to historians and blogs like Thursd., while asagao in modern Japanese refers to morning glory, in ancient times it referred to the balloon flower.  There is another theory that any flower that bloomed early in the morning, like the rose of Sharon, could also have been referred to as asagao.  Further reasoning as to why the asagao Yamanoue no Okura referred to couldn’t have been today’s morning glory can be found in the excerpt from hakko-daioogo:

“...in volume 10 of the same Manyoshu anthology, there is a poem that says, "Although morning glories are said to bloom covered in morning dew, their beauty truly shines in the evening light." This is rather strange, as the morning glories we are familiar with rarely bloom more beautifully in the evening.  Furthermore, the morning glory we see today is an introduced species that came from China during the late Nara period or the Heian period. If it was introduced during the Heian period, it would not have existed in Japan during the Kofun period and the first half of the Nara period, when Okura lived, which makes Okura's poem a mystery. Of course, the same is true even if we consider the theory that it was introduced during the late Nara period” (hakko-daiodo)

So, for this blog, I will be referring to asagao as balloon flower, although it is also known as a Chinese bellflower.  

Balloon flowers are typically found in sunny grassland areas and can grow to almost a meter tall.  They got their unique name due to their inflated, balloon-esque buds before they open to beautiful star-shaped petals that have a bell shape at the base.   While they can come in shades of white and pink, violet and purple are the colors balloon flowers are known for.  This is another autumn flower that is on the verge of extinction and is on the Red List by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan.  Due to deforestation, environmental changes, and overharvesting, this flower isn’t often found in the wild anymore.  

What can you do to help prevent balloon flowers from going extinct?

• Resist the urge to pick wild balloon flowers.  Instead, buy seeds or plants from reliable sources.

• Support biodiversity projects like The GENKI Forest on Mount Rokko and Nippon Shinyaku Group, who support or create opportunities to protect areas where balloon flowers grow and ensure they flourish again naturally.  

Where to go if you want to experience balloon flowers?

• Temples or shrines that grow them on their land, known as Kikyo no Tera

• Visit Kikyo-no-Sato

To truly take in the beauty of nature as autumn approaches, keep your eyes peeled on your run, commute, or day on the town and challenge yourself: how many autumn flowers did you see?  🍂

The Seven Autumn Flowers