May 4, 2010

A Botan (peony) flower in Kencho-ji temple


In the eighth century, Buddhism was introduced into Japan from China. A Chinese tree peony (Botan) was also brought into Japan as a precious medicinal plant along with this teaching of mercy and wisdom.

The cortex of its root is still used as an ingredient of a prescription for traditional herbal medicine for purifying blood and reducing pain.

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