Photographs of red spider lilies by Surendra
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Locations and life cycle
In this series of photographs, higanbana, or red spider lilies, can be seen in a variety of Japanese locations. They range from river banks to hill sides; along the edges of rice fields to the waste land in front of an abandoned, rusting barn. There is even one flower tucked away in a small patch of bamboo. My partner, Amrapali, was instrumental in seeking out the good spots for finding these flowers. It was the peak of a heatwave. In spite of the intensity of the sunshine, we were glad of a motivator to get out and move around outdoors.
The stages of blossoming can also be clearly seen in the pictures. The flowers go from juicy looking, carmine buds to the elegant shapes of their magnificent opening. Soon the petals begin to wilt. Before long, the brilliant reds fade and dry into wisps of purple, pink and white. Eventually, they disappear without trace leaving the leaves as a reminder of the flowers that once were there.
Like the blossoms of the Japanese cherry tree, this short blooming period of the higanbana in Japan aptly symbolises the transience of life. The other similarity with cherry blossoms is the flowers and leaves do not grow at the same time. The Japanese say “no green leaves when the flowers are blooming; no red flowers when the leaves appear.” For some, this separation represents death and oblivion.
This could well be true as far as rodents are concerned. Like most of the amaryllis family, the bulbs and other parts of the higanbana plant are poisonous. Many rice farmers grow them along the edges of their fields to deter rats and mice. The red blossoms appear when the grains have reached their golden peak and are of greatest appeal to rodents as well as humans.
This season is also the time of typhoons, which threaten to flatten the crops. The farmers try to choose a dry day to arrange for the harvesters to come. This is preferably a sunny one with the rice fully upstanding. In Japan, the opening of red spider lilies also demarcates the end of summer. Thus the flowers have a role to play in the autumn equinox celebrations.
Higanbana originated in China and were soon introduced into Japan and then other Asian countries, including Nepal. Apparently, they can also be found in some parts of Europe. The remarkable flowers do not produce seeds. Instead, they propagate by creating offsets in the bulbs. Their bulbs have trouble surviving frosts and need warm locations with strong sunshine. Without heavy rain in the autumn, they are also unlikely to bloom. They are now well established in the southern states of America and there is a story of how this came about.
Japanese trade with America
In 1853, Commodore William Perry of the American Navy was directed by the President to visit Japan. The purpose was to open up a trading route for America. The Japanese borders had been closed for more than a century. The well-entrenched Japanese government had become insular and suspicious of foreigners. This attitude had also been fostered throughout the whole nation. One consequence was that technology in Japan had not advanced at the same pace as the Western world.
Perry chose the port closest to the capital of Tokyo for his landing. Never seen before, the steam ships arriving from America were described by the Japanese as ‘black ships of evil’. Although Perry carried a letter from the American President to the Japanese Emperor, his diplomatic gesture failed. Perry returned with a total rebuff to any form of trade agreement.
Undeterred, Perry’s promised second visit was anticipated by the Japanese with trepidation, and rightly so. About six months after the first, it arrived in force to demand a trade ‘agreement’, whether the Japanese liked it, or not. This time, Perry had an intimidating fleet, of six ships with more than 100 mounted cannon. In March of 1854, the Tokugawa shogunate capitulated to all the American demands, and signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with Perry…. Now, back to spider lilies.
Higanbana arrive in America
Aboard one ship in the fleet was Captain William Roberts. He had a keen eye for horticultural treasures. While in Japan, he acquired three bulbs of a plant with ‘red spidery-type blooms’. On his return to America, he gave the bulbs to his niece for cultivation. For some time, these three bulbs survived and eventually thrived in their North Carolina home. Before long, they were spreading across much of southern America. His niece later described the bulbs as being, “in such a dry condition that they did not show signs of life until the War between the States.”
This timing could be seen to confirm another Japanese belief that higanbana originate on famous battlefields. During the constant antagonism during the era known as ‘the war period’, higanbana spread throughout Japan. Where most blood was shed, the largest number of these plants sprouted. Where there was less conflict and not so many died, fewer flowers appeared.
More Japanese legends and beliefs
In ancient tales, higanbana were associated with other-worldly realms. In fact, higan means ‘the other shore’. Higanbana were said to fall from heaven. Another claim is that these flowers guide dead souls to the Sanzu River where they can cross to their next reincarnations. For this reason the red spider lilies are sometimes called ‘ghost flowers’. They are often brought to graves to remember the dead.
Higanbana are also known in the East as ‘the flower of the abandoned child’. The name comes from a Japanese legend about a mother who died during childbirth and could not look after her offspring. The soul of the child became a red spider lily. This is said to explain why higanbana bloom near the graves of orphans.
Japan mostly has a solemn approach to these blossoms. In those parts of China and Korea where death is cause for celebration, higanbana are treasured and displayed with great joy.
There are other beliefs in Japan associated with worldly passions. If a higanbana flower appears in a girl’s house or garden, then her relationship with any man will be short-lived and unhappy. On more positive notes, the red spider lily is said to arouse passion between couples and generally strengthen partnerships. Keeping one by the bedside is recommended. Finally, if a woman takes good care of the plant and chooses the best place for it in her house, then she will soon attract many admirers.
The eye of the beholder
We live in a field of projections. Humanity gives many things, animate and inanimate, special attributes and roles. In the case of higanbana, I doubt whether the flowers know about their declared ‘purpose’. They simply come here to open their blossoms and create more baby bulbs.
For the higanbana, there is no story.
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