seven flowers of autumn vending
A vending machine featuring the 'seven flowers of autumn'.
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 machine comes fully 'stocked' with twelve pieces - eleven micro wood girls and a 'moon'.
Machine size: Approximately 30cm high/ 22cm wide/ 6cm deep.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a toy, and is for display purposes only. It should be kept out of the reach of children under the age of 8, as the small pieces could be swallowed. Should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from water.
UK customers: All shipping is now free in the UK!
US CUSTOMERS: Please be aware that new import fees (tariffs) are now being applied by the US government to all imported goods - they vary by country of manufacture, which means 10% on goods manufactured in the UK (everything in my store). The good news is that if you purchase something from my store between now and February 2026 I will be trialling an 'all duties paid' service, which means you won't have to pay extra when the items arrive in the US. Some larger pieces may be sent separately to prevent damage.
