Woolflower

This is 'Keitou' or woolflower. The other Japanese names are 'Karaai', 'Tosaka-Keitou', 'Umou-Geitou' etc. The other English name is cockscomb. The botanical name is Celosia cristata.





I had thought that the name comes from wool, because the pronunciation of cockscomb in Japanese is very similar to that of wool... (^_^;;;

Many short poem of Japanese style, called 'Waka' or 'Haiku' include this flower. For example,

Waga Yado ni, Karaai Makiohoshi, Karenuredo, Korizutematamo, Makamutoso Omofu
by YAMABENO Akahito

Akikaze no, Fuki-nokoshiteya, Keitou-ka
by YOSA Buson


The Japanese version of this article is here!

Japanese character(s) (kanji)
* Keitou : 鶏頭
* Karaai : 韓藍
* Tosaka-Keitou : 鶏冠鶏頭
* Umou-Geitou : 羽毛鶏頭
* Waga Yado ni ... : わが屋戸に 韓藍蒔き生し 枯れぬれど 懲りずてまたも 蒔かむとそ思ふ
* YAMABENO Akahito : 山部赤人
* Akikaze no ... : 秋風の 吹きのこしてや 鶏頭花
* YOSA Buson : 与謝蕪村