花菖蒲

花菖蒲　Hanashobu
アヤメ科　Iridaceae

同じアヤメ科の燕子花とよく似ています。燕子花は四季にわたって花が咲きますが、花菖蒲は初夏だけです。いけばなではどちらも好んでいけられます。

端午の節句には菖蒲湯を楽しむ習慣がありますね。その菖蒲と花菖蒲は植物学上では全く別物ですが、葉が似ているため、端午の節句に飾る花として人気があります。葉がまっすぐで力強く、初夏らしい勢いが感じられます。

いけばなの世界では、似ている燕子花と対比させて、花菖蒲は直線的に鋭い感じで、燕子花は曲線的に優美にいけると言われています。

Hanashobu looks very similar to Kakitsubata, which is also in the iris family (Iridaceae). Kakitsubata blooms throughout the year, while Hanashobu blooms only in early summer. Both are popular flowers in ikebana.

During the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku), people enjoy taking shobu baths. The shobu used in the bath and Hanashobu are different plants, but their leaves look very similar. That’s why Hanashobu is also a popular decoration during the festival. Its straight, strong leaves give a sense of early summer energy.

In ikebana, Hanashobu and Kakitsubata are often compared. Hanashobu is arranged with sharp, straight lines, while Kakitsubata is arranged with soft, curved lines to highlight its elegance.

初夏にいっせいに花が咲く様はそれは見事です。

Hanashobu flowers bloom all at once in early summer. It is really beautiful.