Bush clover and slow, simpler life in Japan

Oct. 20, 2009

Bush clover and slow, simpler life in Japan

Bush clover, also called Japanese clover, is an autumn flower loved by many waka poets since the time of Japan’s oldest waka poem anthology Manyoshu. Japanese have many flowers and herbs to enjoy in autumn, maybe more than in other seasons. Bush clover leads the so-called seven flowers of autumn, followed by Japanese pampas grass, kudzu vine, a pink, Patrinia scabiosifolia, thoroughwort and kikyo bellflower in that order. The grouping originates from a poem composed by Yamanoue Okura, a poet of the eighth century who left many waka poems in the Manyoshu anthology. (An explanation about waka poems can be found in an author’s note in the blog post published on April 11)

When I count on my fingers the flowers in bloom in this autumn field,

I find seven kinds of flowers out there.
(A personal translation)

This is the poem made by Okura, who specifically lists up the seven flowers in another poem. The poem collection contains a total of 4,516 pieces of poems in 20 volumes. Of this, about 1,700 pieces mention the names of flowers or herbs. Bush clover, called “hagi” in Japanese, appears in 142 pieces, more frequently than any other species. Second was the Japanese apricot and third was “nubatama” iris.
Otomo Yakamochi, believed to be the editor of the poem collection, also composed a poem which refers to bush clover. He was returning a poem extended by a girl known as “Hekino Nagae." The poems of Yakamochi and the girl follow:

A cluster of bush clover in bloom in my garden:

I nearly mistakenly let it fall before showing the flower to my love.
When autumn comes, dews fall on the ears of “obana” (Japanese pampas grass).

I feel as if I were disappearing so quickly as the dews

because of the sorrow of love to you.
(Personal translations)

Bush clover, which belongs to the pea family, is a deciduous shrub and blooms from late summer to early autumn.
Hagi has been referred to in many poems not only in the Manyoshu era but also in the later periods Why has it attracted Japanese poets so strongly? The chief reason is its pretty shape, which fits waka poems, experts say. Hagi has a weeping habit and blooms a lot of tiny red-purple (sometimes white) flowers on slender branches. This has appealed to Japanese poets and people over the centuries.
Bush clovers seen in Japan are less brilliant compared to North American-grown species, many of which extend fountain-like flower branches in bloom. The Japanese species are also lower in height, about 3 to 4 feet. This is another reason for its popularity in Japan because Japanese like small and fragile things.
Despite its pretty, fragile look, hagi is a kind of “pioneer” plant and at home to poor conditions, such as dry soil. This eager-to-live, admirable appearance pleases Japanese people.
Tourist spots in Kamakura, south of Tokyo, attracts many visitors including those hoping to enjoy flowers on weekends. Hagi can be found at not only famous spots but also other places, sometimes on the roadside and on the fences of houses. Hagi should continue to be loved in Japan, maybe more widely than ever, because Japanese tend to prefer a simpler, slow life in view of the forthcoming environment-oriented age.