Murasaki Shikibu

Murasakishikibu (Japanese beautyberry) is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, prized for the beautiful purple berries it produces in autumn; it grows wild in the wetlands and forests of mountainous regions.

The language of flowers for the murasaki-shikibu (Japanese beautyberry) includes “elegance,” “intelligence (wisdom),” and “being naturally beloved by others.”
As for the origin of these meanings:
The plant is named in reference to Murasaki Shikibu—a noble and highly intelligent female author from the Heian period—as well as to Hikaru Genji, the central character of her masterpiece, The Tale of Genji. Furthermore, the name draws inspiration from the plant’s small, charming berries, which turn a vivid shade of purple in the autumn, and from the enduring affection that people have long held for the historical figure Murasaki Shikibu herself.

An exhibition on The Tale of Genji is currently being held at the Kyoto National Museum.

Bizen Kohjiguchi Hanaire | Anjin ABE
Size(cm)W13.1 H24.7
備前柑口花入 | 安倍安人

Perhaps the room temperature is ideal for the flowers, as they are lasting a very long time.