May 26th- 30th, 2024 is Summer – SHOMAN (Lesser ripening) -23rd KOU “Safflowers (BENIBANA) bloom”.
Unfortunately, safflowers are not cultivated in the HOKUSHIN area, so I sowed seeds this year as well. The seed packet says, in cold regions such as the HOKUSHIN area, safflowers bloom from July to August. We have to wait about two months for the safflower to bloom.
So, which region is the 23rd KOU ” Safflowers bloom” referring to?
According to the report titled “Safflower Cultivation in the BUSHU Region” (Masashi Kurosu, Shinano, Vol. 31, No. 31, PP23-33, 1979), “Safflowers were already being cultivated in the SAGAMI, KAZUSA and SHIMOUSA areas where were around EDO district. The seeds were sown in autumn and the flowers bloom in May of the following year.”
Many of the descriptions in the 72- KOU are based on the “RYAKUREKIHON” compiled in 1897 when just after EDO era was finished.
That is to say, the 23rd KOU ” Safflowers bloom” seems to describe the cultivation and production of safflowers that took place around Edo district during the Edo era.
