The Points of View of the Appreciation of Japanese Ivy ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata) in Waka (Japanese poetry)

Abstract

Japanese Ivy ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata), a native of East Asia, has been appreciated in Japan since ancient times. The objective of the study was to explain the points of view of the appreciation of Japanese Ivy in waka (Japanese poetry), based on an analysis of the waka poems before the end of the Edo period. The points of view, which could be divided into four types, were as follows: 1) Japanese Ivy's own character:(1) branching and climbing habit of vine.(2) coloring, trembling and falling of leaves. C3 aerial root. 2) Contrast with other plants:(1) evergrreen trees ( Pinus densiflora, Pinus thunbergii, Taisanboku (different from Magnolia grandiflora), Ligustrum japonicum, Maki ( Podocarpus macrophyllus or similar conifers suited for timbering), Cleyera japonica, Cryptomeria japonica, Viscum album).(2) fern ( Lepisorus thunbergianus). C3 other vines ( Wisteria floribunda, Pueraria lobata, Trachelospermum asiaticum). 3) Habitats:(1) on trees and rocks (in both mountainuos and coastal regions).(2) on trees and fences (in gardens).(3) on eaves.(4) on hermitages. 4) Related famous places:(1)"Utsunoyama (now in Shizuoka Prefecture)", one of the famous places which were often described in waka.(2)"Gomado (now in Fukui Prefecture)", a famous place for viewing autumnal tints of Japanese Ivy in the Edo period.