The Yama-yuri (golden-rayed lily) is one of Japan's most popular lilies and is also known as “the queen of lilies” in Japan because of its particularly beautiful figure and very rich perfume.
The splendid flower of Yama-yuri is a typical summer flower of Japan. It grows wild in the mountain areas of Honshu from the Kanto region to the Chubu region and magically comes into view in midsummer.
This white flower is over 20 cm in diameter. Its petals have thick golden streaks and small reddish-brown spots. It keeps giving off a strong sweet fragrance even at night to captivate many pollinating insects.
The Yama-yuri has often been the subject of Japanese art because of its splendor and fragrance. Especially since the late Edo period, it has been incorporated into the paintings and crafts. It has been presented as a representative summer flower in the ”Ka-cho-hu-getsu” (flower, bird, wind, and moon) of the traditional seasonal themes of Japanese paintings.
It was often depicted in the schools of Ogata Korin and Sakai Hoitsu. The contrast between white and gold made the Yama-yuri lilies become the suitable subject for the highly decorative and refined Edo-rimpa-style paintings.
No comments:
Post a Comment