Gardenia (kuchinashi)

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Gardenia (kuchinashi 梔子)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Various, see below
***** Category: Plant

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Explanation


This plant is found in most parts south of the center of the main island of Honshu. It can grow up to 3 meters high and is well liked in gardens and parks.
Its blossoms have 6 white petals and a pleasant fragrance, which grows stronger in the evening. The fruit does not open, even when it is ripe, that is why it is called "without a mouth" kuchi nashi, in Japanese.


kigo for mid-summer


Gardenia jasminoides

kuchinashi no hana 梔子の花 (くちなしのはな)
gardenia flowers
..... hanakuchinashi 花梔子（はなくちなし）


lit. kuchi nashi means : to have no mouth.


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kigo for late autumn



kuchinashi no mi 梔子の実 (くちなしのみ) gardenia fruit
..... kuchinashi no mi 山梔子の実（くちなしのみ）


The yellow color is used to enhance some food preparations.

. WASHOKU
kiku kabura 菊かぶら / 菊蕪 "chrysanthemum turnip" 　
pickles


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Gardenia jasminoides (also known as Gardenia augusta)
is a fragrant flowering evergreen tropical plant, a favorite in gardens worldwide. It originated in Asia and is most commonly found growing in Vietnam, Southern China, Taiwan, Japan and India. With its shiny green leaves and fragrant white summer flowers, it is widely used in gardens in warm temperate and subtropical climates.

Evidence of Gardenia jasminoides in cultivation in China dates to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), where both wild and double-flowered forms have been depicted in paintings, such as those of the Song Emperor Huizong.

Gardenia jasminoides fructus (fruit) is used within Traditional Chinese Medicine to "drain fire" and thereby treat certain febrile conditions.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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Worldwide use


Gardenie


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Things found on the way



source :　www.suiboku.jp


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HAIKU




くちなしの花香りたる交差点
kuchinashi no hana kaoritaru koosaten

the gardenia flowers
are so very fragrant
at the crossroads

source : yoshizo


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gardenia –
the lingering smell of
Daruma's stroll
Chibi


kuchinashi ya
Daruma talks
you have no mouth
Gabi

source : Haiku about Daruma



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rainy december
gardenia at the corner
keeps on withering

source : Wedomartani, Wahyu W. Basjir 2009

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still, its scent --
the gardenia blossom's
faded petals

- Shared by Rick Black -
Joys of Japan, 2012





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Related words

. PLANTS - - - the Complete SAIJIKI .


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