The Seven Flowers of Autumn in Japan

In Japan, aki-no-nanakusa—the “seven flowers of autumn”—are seasonal flowers admired from mid-September to late November. They are cherished not only as a traditional motif of autumn but also as an enduring symbol of the season’s beauty.

The origin of this custom reaches back to the 8th century, in Japan’s oldest poetry anthology, the Manyoshu. The poet Yamanoue no Okura wrote a poem noting that there were seven kinds of flowers blooming in the autumn fields, followed by another poem naming these seven flowers, which is said to be the origin of this tradition.

The seven flowers of autumn are more than flowers that bloom in the fall; they symbolize the Japanese sensibility of cherishing seasonal change. This article introduces the appeal of each and suggests ways to bring their beauty into everyday life.

Hagi is a leguminous shrub. As early autumn arrives and temperatures begin to fall, its branches fill with small reddish-purple blossoms. In full bloom, the weight of the flowers bends the branches as if in a bow, a posture echoed by its traditional flower language: “reflection” and “shyness.” Swaying in the breeze, it is one of the season’s defining plants.

Characterized by slender stems and finely notched, delicate petals, nadeshiko produces small, dainty blossoms that convey purity. It is regarded as a symbol of “pure love” and “innocence.” The term Yamato nadeshiko—combining “Yamato” (Japan) and “nadeshiko”—has long been used to describe a modest, poised Japanese woman.

Ominaeshi, with its upright stems tipped by clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom like lace, has come to symbolize a “beautiful woman” in Japanese culture. It appears frequently in the Manyoshu and The Tale of Genji, enriching literature both as a metaphor for feminine beauty and as one of the layered hues in the junihitoe, twelve-layered court robes.

Clusters of slender petals in pale pink or light purple lend fujibakama an elegant look. When dried, it releases a sweet fragrance. Among Heian-period (794–1185 CE) nobles, scent was valued as a mark of refinement, and fujibakama was used to perfume garments and rooms. Its modest blossoms convey the flower language of “hesitation” and “reservation.”

In Heian court culture, appreciating seasonal blossoms was regarded as a mark of elegance. Aristocrats strolled through fields and hills or planted them in their own gardens to enjoy the beauty of the seven flowers of autumn. With the rise of samurai culture, they found their way into tea ceremony settings and seasonal ikebana, and in modern times, new approaches such as pressed-flower art have emerged.

As one way to enjoy this seasonal aesthetic—cherished for over a thousand years—in daily life, the MUSUBI KILN collection makes it easy to embrace this tradition today.

Crafted in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture, where Kutani ware has a history of more than 350 years, this vase employs gold leaf—one of its signature techniques—to depict a beautiful autumn full moon. Branches of hagi bearing light-purple blossoms are arranged to accent the radiant disc, creating an elegant impression. Its chic, sophisticated palette complements flowers of any color, and the gentle curves of its distinctive form let it stand on its own as an interior piece.

A work that captures the sweeping expanse of a silver grass field is expressed on a natsume matcha container. Created by Hariya Yuji, a maki-e artisan and founder of Urushi Art HARIYA, a Yamanaka lacquerware maker, this piece uses transparent acrylic so that when matcha powder is added, the vibrant green emerges as a backdrop, revealing different expressions.

By combining classical maki-e techniques such as hira maki-e (flat maki-e) and harigaki (needle-drawing), it brings out the delicate shimmer of gold and silver powders to their fullest effect. The contrasting colors on the front and back represent the changing scenery of the Japanese pampas grass field as it is bathed in sunlight by day and moonlight by night. This work exemplifies Hariya’s mastery in expressing the seasonal transitions so essential to the world of tea utensils.

This five-piece set of chopstick rests from Kyoto Hozan Kiln, renowned for finely made rests, features petal shapes modeled after cherry blossoms. Seasonal flowers, including nadeshiko with its characteristically notched petals, are rendered with delicate brushwork across these dainty forms. Wrapped in a refined purple package, a hue long esteemed in Japan as a noble color, it makes a thoughtful gift for someone special.