Japanese lantern - hozuki (hōzuki-ichi - ほおづき市)

The Japanese lantern also called Chinese lantern is a plant which produces a fruit covered by an orange envelope looking like a paper lantern. The scientific name of the plant is Physalis alkekengi and it is native from Europe across southern Asia to Japan.

In July, a festival dedicated to the flower is held at the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (Tokyo). The flowers are often bought as offerings to the spirits of the ancestors during O-bon, a buddhist custom.

 

explain_photo1
Hōzuki-ichi hanging outside a Japanese house [source]
explain_photo2
Sellers at Hozuki Ichi fetival , Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo [source]

 

 

 

Hashiokis linked to this subject :
hashioki