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35-613: The Aoi Matsuri ( 葵祭 ) , or " Hollyhock Festival", (although commonly, but mistakenly identified as "hollyhock", the "aoi" actually belongs to the birthwort family and translates as " wild ginger "—Asarum) is one of the three main annual festivals held in Kyoto , Japan , the other two being the Festival of the Ages (Jidai Matsuri) and the Gion Festival . It is a festival of the two Kamo shrines in

70-610: A delegate from Yamashiro ( Yamashiro-no-Tsukai) . Also featured at the Aoi Matsuri are horse races ( kurabe-uma ), and demonstrations of mounted archery ( yabusame ). Many things in Kyoto are named after the Aoi. Hollyhock See text Alcea is a genus of over 80 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae , commonly known as the hollyhocks . They are native to Asia and Europe. The single species of hollyhock from

105-408: A few years, as in W. macrostachya (Kentucky wisteria), or nearly twenty, as in W. sinensis . Maturation can be forced by physically abusing the main trunk , root pruning, or drought stress. Wisteria can grow into a mound when unsupported, but is at its best when allowed to clamber up a tree, pergola , wall, or other supporting structure. W. floribunda (Japanese wisteria) with longer racemes

140-485: A galloping horse. This became an annual ritual, and the galloping horse performance developed into an equestrian archery performance. According to the historical record known as the Shoku Nihongi (続日本記, so many people had come to view this equestrian performance on the festival day in the 2nd year of the reign of Emperor Monmu (r. 697–707) that the event was banned. In the ninth century, Emperor Kanmu established

175-403: Is Hygrophila difformis , in the family Acanthaceae . Wisterias climb by twining their stems around any available support. W. floribunda (Japanese wisteria) twines clockwise when viewed from above, while W. sinensis (Chinese wisteria) twines counterclockwise. This is an aid in identifying the two most common species of wisteria. They can climb as high as 20 m (66 ft) above

210-550: Is a schizocarp , a dry disc divided into over 15 sections that contain seeds. The following species are accepted: Hollyhocks are popular garden ornamental plants . They are easily grown from seed. Breeds with red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies . Cultivars have been bred, especially from A. rosea . They include the double-flowered 'Chater's Double', the raspberry-colored 'Creme de Cassis', and 'The Watchman', which has dark, nearly black, maroon flowers. The stems of hollyhocks can be used as firewood, and

245-486: Is debate over whether the concentration outside of the seeds is sufficient to cause poisoning. Wisteria seeds have caused poisoning in children and pets of many countries, producing mild to severe gastroenteritis and other effects. In North America, W. floribunda (Japanese wisteria) and W. sinensis (Chinese wisteria) are far more popular than other species for their abundance of flowers, clusters of large flowers, variety of flower colors, and fragrance. W. sinensis

280-549: Is in spring (just before or as the leaves open) in some Asian species, and in mid to late summer in the American species. The genus Wisteria was established by Thomas Nuttall in 1818. He based the genus on Wisteria frutescens , previously included in the genus Glycine . Nuttall stated that he named the genus in memory of the American physician and anatomist Caspar Wistar (1761–1818). Both men were living in Philadelphia at

315-518: Is the best choice to grow along a pergola. W. sinensis (Chinese wisteria) with shorter racemes is the best choice for growing along a wall. Whatever the case, the support must be very sturdy, because mature wisteria can become immensely strong with heavy wrist-thick trunks and stems . These can collapse latticework, crush thin wooden posts, and even strangle large trees. Wisteria allowed to grow on houses can cause damage to gutters, downspouts, and similar structures. Wisteria flowers develop in buds near

350-581: The Honchō getsurei ( 本朝月令 ) and Nenchūgyōji hissho (年中行事秘抄) reveal that a succession of disastrous rains with high winds ruined the grain crops, and epidemics had spread through the country. Because diviners placed the cause on divine punishment by the Kamo deities , the Emperor sent his messenger with a retinue to the shrine to conduct various acts to appease the deities, in prayer for a bountiful harvest. These included riding

385-543: The Americas, the streambank wild hollyhock , belongs to a different genus. Hollyhocks are annual, biennial , or perennial plants usually taking an erect, unbranched form. The herbage usually has a coating of star-shaped hairs. The leaf blades are often lobed or toothed, and are borne on long petioles . The flowers may be solitary or arranged in fascicles or racemes . The notched petals are usually over three centimeters wide and may be pink, white, purple, or yellow. The fruit

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420-512: The Heian court. Traditional Heian court dress for women would be wearing several layers of exquisitely colored silk robes. The Saiō-Dai wears twelve layers of the traditional style robes ( jūnihitoe ). To maintain ritual purity , the Saiō-Dai goes through several ceremonies of purification before the procession of the festival. The Imperial Messenger leads the festival procession on horseback. During

455-542: The Heian period he would be a Fifth-Rank courtier holding the office of middle or lesser captain and was usually a man destined for high office. His role was to read the imperial rescript of the shrines and present the emperor’s offerings. During the Heian period, the Saiō-Dai and the Imperial messenger would be accompanied by ten dancers and twelve musicians. Also present during the procession are guards ( kebiishii), government officials, civic officials, military retainers, and

490-638: The Portuguese botanist and geologist José Francisco Corrêa da Serra , who lived in Philadelphia beginning in 1812, four years before his appointment as ambassador of Portugal to the United States, and a friend of Wistar, proposed the name "Wistaria" in his obituary of Wistar. As the spelling is apparently deliberate, there is no justification for changing the genus name under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants . The genus

525-546: The World Online accepted four species: Wisteria species are used as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the brown-tail moth . The seeds are produced in pods similar to those of Laburnum , and, like the seeds of that genus, are poisonous . All parts of the plant contain a saponin called wisterin, which is toxic if ingested, and may cause dizziness , confusion, speech problems, nausea, vomiting , stomach pains, diarrhea and collapse. There

560-457: The base of the previous year's growth, so pruning back side shoots to the basal few buds in early spring can enhance the visibility of the flowers. If it is desired to control the size of the plant, the side shoots can be shortened to between 20 and 40 cm long in midsummer, and back to 10 to 20 centimetres (3.9 to 7.9 in) in the fall. Once the plant is a few years old, a relatively compact, free-flowering form can be achieved by pruning off

595-494: The centuries and were a popular symbol in mon (family crests) and heraldry. Wisteria is one of the five most commonly used motifs in the mon , and there are more than 150 types of wisteria mon . Because of its longevity and fertility, wisteria was considered an auspicious plant and was favored as a mon , and was adopted and popularized by the Fujiwara clan as their mon . One popular dance in kabuki known as

630-577: The deities and the Imperial Messenger intones the imperial rescript praising the deities and requesting their continued favor. There are two main figures in the Aoi Matsuri : the Saiō-Dai and the Imperial Messenger. Historically the Saiō-Dai was a woman of the imperial house who was chosen from the sisters and daughters of the emperor to dedicate herself to the Shimogamo shrine. The role of Saiō-Dai

665-471: The gods. During the Heian Period, these leaves were once believed to protect against natural disasters such as earthquakes and thunder, and were often hung under the roofs of homes for protection. The plants used in the Aoi Matsuri may not be hollyhock, but possibly wild ginger . Although due to the rarity of these plants, other plants with similarly shaped leaves have been used in the festival instead, such as

700-619: The ground and spread out 10 m (33 ft) laterally. The world's largest known wisteria is the Sierra Madre Wisteria in Sierra Madre, California , measuring more than 1 acre (0.40 ha) in size and weighing 250 tons. Planted in 1894, it is of the 'Chinese lavender' variety. The leaves are alternate, 15 to 35 cm long, pinnate , with 9 to 19 leaflets. The flowers have drooping racemes that vary in length from species to species. W. frutescens (American wisteria) has

735-476: The leaves of the katsura tree . There are several events that take place during the month but the most important event is on 15 May. There are two parts to Aoi Matsuri: the procession ( rotō-no-gi ) and the shrine rites. The procession is led by the Imperial Messenger. Following the imperial messenger are: two oxcarts, four cows, thirty-six horses, and six hundred people. The six hundred people are all wearing traditional dress of Heian nobles ( ōmiyabito ), while

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770-1007: The longest racemes of wisteria species, is decorative and has given rise to many cultivars that have won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit . Wisteria, especially W. sinensis (Chinese wisteria), is very hardy and fast-growing. It can grow in fairly poor-quality soils, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in full sun. It can be propagated via hardwood cutting, softwood cuttings, or seed. However, specimens grown from seed can take decades to bloom; for this reason, gardeners usually grow plants that have been started from rooted cuttings or grafted cultivars known to flower well. Another reason for failure to bloom can be excessive fertilizer (particularly nitrogen ). Wisteria has nitrogen fixing capability (provided by Rhizobia bacteria in root nodules), and thus mature plants may benefit from added potassium and phosphate , but not nitrogen. Finally, wisteria can be reluctant to bloom before it has reached maturity. Maturation may require only

805-600: The nation entered the Sengoku period , the festival procession was discontinued. In the Genroku era (1688–1704) of the Edo period , it was revived, but in the 2nd year of the Meiji period (1869), when the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo , observance of the festival procession stopped. In Meiji-17 (1885), it was again revived as part of a government plan to enliven Kyoto. All but the rituals at

840-778: The new tendrils three times during the growing season in the summer months. The flowers of some varieties are edible, and can even be used to make wine. Others are said to be toxic. Careful identification by an expert is strongly recommended before consuming this or any wild plant. In the United Kingdom, the national collection of wisteria is held by Chris Lane at the Witch Hazel Nursery in Newington , near Sittingbourne in Kent . Wisteria and their racemes have been widely used in Japan throughout

875-462: The north of the city, Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine . The festival may also be referred to as the Kamo Festival . It is held on 15 May of each year. According to the ancient, presumed historical and regarded as accurate with some fantastic embellishments, record Nihon Shoki , the festival originated during the reign of Emperor Kinmei (reigned CE 539 - 571). The ancient records known as

910-610: The oxcart ( gissha ) is adorned with artificial wisteria flowers. The procession starts at 10:30 on May 15 and leaves the Kyoto Imperial Palace in front of the main gate Kenreimon (建礼門) and slowly works its way towards the Shimogamo Shrine and finally the Kamigamo Shrine . When they finally arrive at both shrines, the Saiō-Dai and Imperial Messenger perform their rituals. The Saiō-Dai simply pays her respects to

945-574: The pathogenic fungus Puccinia malvacearum , the hollyhock rust. The Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival) is one of the three main festivals of the city of Kyoto . During the Victorian era , the hollyhock symbolized both ambition and fecundity in the language of flowers . The UK National Collection of hollyhocks is held by Jonathan Sheppard in Lincolnshire. Wisteria The aquatic flowering plant commonly called wisteria or 'water wisteria'

980-603: The roots have been used medicinally. Alcea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix quadrigemina and Vanessa cardui , the painted lady. The mallow flea beetle ( Podagrica fuscicornis ) is a pest that makes tiny holes in the leaves. Cutworms , aphids , and capsid bugs use the plant as a food source in hotter and drier conditions. A number of weevils use A. rosea as their host plant, including Rhopalapion longirostre , Alocentron curvirostre , and Aspidapion validum . The plants are also susceptible to

1015-628: The seat of the imperial throne in Kyoto. This represented the beginning of the Heian period in Japanese history. Emperor Kanmu recognized the deities of the Kamo shrines as protectors of the Heian capital, and established the Aoi Matsuri as an annual imperial event. The festival saw its peak of grandeur in the middle of the Heian period, but this waned in the Kamakura period and the following Muromachi period , and as

1050-616: The shortest racemes, 5–7 centimetres (2.0–2.8 in). W. floribunda (Japanese wisteria) has the longest racemes, 90 centimetres (35 in) in some varieties and 120 centimetres (47 in) or 200 centimetres (79 in) in some cultivars . The flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, lilac, purple, and pink, and some W. brachybotrys (Silky wisteria) and W. floribunda cultivars have particularly remarkable colors. The flowers are fragrant, and especially cultivars of W. brachybotrys , W. floribunda , and W. sinensis are noted for their sweet and musky scents. Flowering

1085-472: The shrine fronts were discontinued from 1944, due to the Pacific War . At last, the festival procession started to be held again from 1953. The Saiō-Dai festival princess tradition was initiated in 1956. The Saiō (斎王) was an unmarried female member of the Japanese imperial house. The festival is named after the hollyhock ( aoi ) leaves used as decoration throughout the celebration as well as offerings to

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1120-604: The time, where Wistar was a professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania . Questioned about the spelling later, Nuttall said it was for " euphony ", but his biographer speculated that it may have something to do with Nuttall's friend Charles Jones Wister Sr., of Grumblethorpe , the grandson of the merchant John Wister . Various sources assert that the naming occurred in Philadelphia . It has been suggested that

1155-480: Was brought to the United States for horticultural purposes in 1816, while W. floribunda was introduced around 1830. Because of their hardiness and tendency to escape cultivation , these non-native wisterias are considered invasive species in many parts of the U.S. , especially the Southeast , due to their ability to overtake and choke out other native plant species. W. floribunda (Japanese wisteria), which has

1190-471: Was previously placed in the tribe Millettieae . Molecular phylogenetic studies from 2000 onwards showed that Wisteria , along with other genera such as Callerya and Afgekia , were related and quite distinct from other members of the Millettieae. A more detailed study in 2019 reached the same conclusion, and moved Wisteria to the expanded tribe Wisterieae . As of September 2023 , Plants of

1225-419: Was to maintain ritual purity and to represent the emperor at the festival. Nowadays, the role of the Saiō-Dai is a stand-in by an unmarried woman in Kyoto. She has to have the three attributes of wisdom, grace, and social standing. The selection process is strict and the news is announced in the press. It is the highest honour a woman can receive in Kyoto. The Saiō-Dai is dressed in the traditional style of

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