June 21st- June 25th, 2024 is Summer – GESHI (Summer solstice)-28th KOU “Self-heal withers.”
We are currently in the summer solstice, one of the 24 solar terms. This is the time when the days are the longest in the year, but there is a certain plant describing “wither” during this time.
It’s UTSUBO-GUSA (Self-heal) which old name is NASUKARE-GUSA (Summer withering plant).
I climbed SATOYAMA (rural small mountain/forest) where I found it by chance last year.
Yes, they welcomed me again!
The process of “self-heal withes” could be seen. Fresh flowers are bright dark purple. When the flowers wilt and wither, they turn brown and fall off. And what looks like a brown stick is a withered spike of the self-heal.
Self-heals have been used as herbal medicines. The timing of picking is important for making good medicine. So, the 28th KOU may be telling us not to miss the best time to pluck them.
