folk style horse (seven flowers of autumn)
For the Year of the Horse in 2026, this unique piece consists of a vintage wooden horse which has been painted with the 'seven flowers of autumn' - under a large full moon on each side, as autumn is also peak moon viewing season. Four wooden wheels have been added, also with moons on.
Aki no nanakusa/ 秋の七草
The seven flowers of autumn are a grouping of plants indigenous to Japan that were once very popular in ancient Japanese literature and poetry. An 8th century collection of over 4500 poems, the Manyōshū (meaning 'collection of ten thousand leaves'), has these lines by Yamanoue no Okura (CE 660 - 733):
'Flowers blossoming
in autumn fields—
bending my fingers,
I count them one by one
to find they number seven.
There are bush clover,
pampas grass, arrowroot,
dianthus flowers.
Patrinia is there
and also thoroughwort
and the bellflower.'
They are less well known outside of Japan than the seven herbs of spring, which are still eaten for health in January, but the plants were known for their embodiment of autumn or for their practical or medicinal purposes. They can be found depicted in paintings, on fans and lacquerwork and on kimonos - once you know them you can recognise them in many works of art.
ハギ Hagi/ Bush Clover/ Lespedeza
One of the plants most commonly associated with autumn, and also found in some Japanese family crests. The plant’s light, delicate leaves evoke the fleeting beauty of the moment—an embodiment of mono‑no‑aware. It is sometimes used to express melancholy or quiet longing. The most frequently quoted of the seven; many Manyōshū verses celebrate its delicate purple blossoms and the wistful feeling of the waning season - it is almost the opposite season flower to sakura.
すすき/ Susuki or Obana/ Japanese Silver Grass/ Miscanthus sinensis.
Susuki is a classic emblem of autumn in haiku, with its swaying stems evoking the fleeting nature of the season. It is often displayed during o-tsukimi, the Japanese moon viewing festival, it looks particularly beautiful in moonlight.
クズ Kuzu/ Arrowroot/ Pueraria lobata
Kuzu is a rapidly spreading vine, with purple flowers and leaves that are green on the top and pale green/ white on the undersides. It symbolises endurance, persistence and the unstoppable flow of time. The starch taken from the root is used in the making of traditional Japanese sweets, as well as other foods.
ナデシコ/ 撫子 Nadeshiko/ pink Dianthus/ Dianthus superbus
Very frilly pink flowers that are commonly found, they symbolise love and admiration.
オミナエシ Ominaeshi/ golden lace/ maiden flower/ Eastern Valerian/ Patrinia scabiosifolia
Clusters of small yellow flowers, signifying grace and elegance. Apparently it doesn't smell very nice!
ふじばかま fujibakama/ thoroughwort/ mist flower/ Eupatorium japonicum
Now an endangered species and so the hardest of the seven to find blooming in the wild these days, the small flowers of the fujibakama are said to resemble the shape of a hakama, or traditional divided skirt. Very pretty pale purple flowers which symbolise purity and refinement.
キキョウ kikyō/ Chinese bell flower/ Balloon Flower/ Platycodon.
This one is the most frequently mixed up of the seven, as the word 'asagao' was used to describe it in the past, but it is now distinguished from the morning glory flower (which flowers in spring) with the name kikyo. The “balloon” motif evokes the idea of anticipation—just as the buds swell before blooming, autumn anticipates winter. Striking star shaped blue flowers which fold out of a puffy ball shaped bud, they represent unchanging love and honesty.
The Year of the Horse runs from February 17th 2026 to February 5th 2027.
Artist notes:
My pieces are painted in a naïve and simple style, with visible brush strokes and differing paint consistencies. It is important to note that these works are made from real wood which will have naturally occurring markings and grain, and sometimes there will be small amount of bleeding along the grain, or knots, which is to be expected when using untreated wood - please make sure you consult the pictures carefully before purchasing.
The horse is a vintage wooden piece constructed in sections joined together. It has been painted with water based paints and had wheels and axles (recycled metal knitting needles) added. Finished in a top coat of matt acrylic.
Signature: a blue bear head is painted on the belly of the horse..
Horse: approximately 28 cm high.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
THIS IS NOT A TOY and should be kept out of the reach of children.
Wood girls should be kept away from water which can damage the wood and painted surface, and also away from direct heat/ sunlight which also can affect the surface colour and the timber itself.
