Nanakusa is a Japanese word which can be literally translated as "seven grasses", but most likely means something more along the lines of "seven herbs/plants". It is most commonly used to denote a holiday, celebrated on the seventh day of the new year. However, more correctly, this holiday and its corresponding seven herbs are "haru-no-nanakusa", while a similar, lesser-known holiday with different corresponding (and less culinary) plants is known as "aki-no-nanakusa". Haru-no-nanakusa was originally celebrated on the first day of the rat of each year, but is now celebrated on January seventh. On this day, the seven herbs are harvested and made into a rice porridge. These herbs were given great importance due to their medicinal properties, and it was believed that eating them on this day would both prevent illness and remove evil influences from one's body.
The
seven spring herbs are:
The
seven fall plants are: