＜prologue＞
I started a blog called “The Baby Boomer Generation’s Miscellaneous Blog”（Dankai-sedai no garakutatyou:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳） in July 2018, about a year before I fully retired. More than six years have passed since then, and the number of articles has increased considerably.
So, in order to make them accessible to people who don’t understand Japanese, I decided to translate my past articles into English and publish them.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would like to make this my life’s work.
It should be noted that haiku and waka （Japanese short fixed form poems） are quite difficult to translate into English, so some parts are written in Japanese.
If you are interested in haiku or waka and would like to know more, please read introductory or specialized books on haiku or waka written in English.
I also write many articles about the Japanese language. I would be happy if these inspire more people to want to learn Japanese.
my blog’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳 | 団塊世代が雑学や面白い話を発信しています
my X’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多帳（@historia49) on X
(Reference) Original article in Japanese
・漢字で書いた「果物」の名前。これは何という果物かわかりますか？
Even for fruits that have been around in Japan for a long time, many people may not be able to read the names when they are written in kanji. Also, in modern times, some fruits may be unfamiliar, especially to those living in urban areas.
1. Names of traditional Japanese fruits written in kanji
(1) A-row
①木通、②杏（杏子）、③無花果、④楳
(2) Ka-row
①臭橙（香母酢/酸橙）、②花梨、③枸杞
(3) Sa-row
①桜桃、②柘榴、③西瓜、④酢橘、⑤李
(4) Ha-row
①八朔、②仏手柑、③椪柑（凸柑）
2. How to read traditional Japanese fruits written in kanji (answers) and explanations
(1) A-row
① Akebi (Akebia quinata)
This is a deciduous climbing shrub belonging to the Akebia family. It is also written with the kanji characters “通草,” “山女,” and “丁翁.”
The name “Akebi” comes from the fact that the oval-shaped fruit that appears in autumn splits open vertically when ripe, revealing the sweet white pulp and black seeds, hence the name “Akemi” (open fruit).
The woody part is called “Mokutsu” in traditional Chinese medicine, and dried, cross-sectioned stems are said to have effects such as promoting blood circulation, diuresis, anti-inflammatory properties, and pain relief.
While “Akebi” is a seasonal word for “autumn” in haiku, the Akebi flower (image on the upper right) is a seasonal word for “spring.”
Example haiku: In just one night, the akebia vine opens its mouth at the fence. (Kobayashi Issa)
・一夜さに 柵で口あく 木通かな（小林一茶）
② Anzu (Apricot)
This is a deciduous small tree belonging to the genus Prunus in the Rosaceae family. Its other name is “Karamomo” (唐桃).
It is sometimes called by its English name, “apricot.”
“Anzu-iro” (杏色) refers to a reddish-yellow color, like that of an apricot, and is defined as “soft yellowish-red” in the JIS color standards.
It was introduced to Japan from China a long time ago, and was cultivated as a medicinal plant during the Heian period. Apricot seeds are used as the herbal medicine “Kyōnin” (杏仁) for cough suppressants, etc.
The fruit ripens to yellow in early summer and is harvested around July. Because the flesh is quite sour, apricots for fresh consumption are rare; they are mainly used in processed products such as jam, syrup, fruit wine, and dried fruit.
Younger people might first think of actress An (real name An Watanabe), daughter of Ken Watanabe, but I think of Muroo Saisei’s “Anzukko” and Kobori Annu, daughter of Mori Ogai.
While apricot blossoms are a seasonal word for “summer” in haiku, they are actually a seasonal word for “spring.”
Example haiku: In the heart of Yamanashi, apricot blossoms are in full bloom. (Masaoka Shiki)
・山梨の 中に杏の 花ざかり（正岡子規）
③ Ichijiku(Fig)
This is a deciduous tree belonging to the fig genus of the Moraceae family. Its alternative name is “Eijitsuka” (映日果).
The Japanese name, “Mukaka” (無花果), literally means “flowerless fruit,” because figs bear numerous male and female flowers inside their receptacle, but these are not visible from the outside, making it appear as if the tree bears fruit without flowering.
Regarding the etymology of “fig,” there are two theories: one suggests it comes from the Persian word “Anjir,” which became “Injir” in Hindi, then transliterated into Chinese as “Yenjei” (映日), with “guo” (果) added to form “Yenjeiguo” (映日果); the other suggests it refers to the gradual ripening process, interpreted as “ichijuku” (一熟).
In haiku, it is a seasonal word for “autumn.”
Example haiku: “Figs / Chopping medicine / At the end of the veranda” (Terada Torahiko)
・無花果や 薬を刻む 縁の先（寺田寅彦）
④ Ume(plum)
While it’s usually written as “梅,” “楳” can also be read as “ume.” It’s a deciduous tree belonging to the genus Prunus in the Rosaceae family. It’s also the name of the manga artist Kazuo Umezu（「楳図（うめず）かずお」 (1936-2024).
Until the Nara period, “flower” and “flower viewing” referred to the plum (Ume), but in the Heian period, as in “Ukon no Tachibana, Sakon no Sakura,” it came to refer to the cherry blossom (mountain cherry), and from the Edo period onward, it mainly referred to the Somei Yoshino cherry blossom(「ソメイヨシノ（染井吉野）」).
Incidentally, while “plum” has traditionally been used as the English translation for plum, “plum” refers to the European plum, not strictly a plum.
In haiku, plum (plum blossom) is a spring seasonal word, but plum fruit is a summer seasonal word.
Example haiku:A single plum blossom, a warmth like that of a single blossom (Hattori Ransetsu)
・梅一輪 一輪ほどの 暖かさ（服部嵐雪）
(2) Ka-row
① Kabosu (a type of citrus fruit)
It is an evergreen broad-leaved tree belonging to the Rutaceae family.
It is a close relative of the yuzu（ユズ（柚子）） (citrus fruit), and its branches have sharp thorns. The fruit is harvested while still green, but turns yellow when ripe. The flesh is yellowish-white, juicy, and strongly acidic. The juice is squeezed and consumed.
It is often confused with sudachi （スダチ（酢橘））(a type of citrus fruit), but can be distinguished by the slightly donut-shaped bulge around the site where the pistil fell off at the top of the fruit.
The origin of the name “kabosu” is said to be either a corruption of “kamushi（「柑子」）” (a type of citrus fruit) or because the dried peel was used as a mosquito repellent.
The main production area is Usuki City, Oita Prefecture（大分県臼杵（うすき）市）.
② Karin(Quince)
It is a deciduous tree belonging to the rose family. Its fruit is used as an ingredient in products such as “karinshu(「花梨酒（かりんしゅ）」)” (quince liqueur). I’ve seen a neighbor planting one in their garden, and it was bearing large fruits.
The name “karin” comes from the fact that the wood grain resembles “karin（「花櫚（かりん）」）,” a type of exotic wood used for the body and neck of shamisen (a Japanese stringed instrument) and low tables.
The flesh is astringent and hard due to its high concentration of “stone cells（石細胞（せきさいぼう）」）,” making it unsuitable for eating raw. It is processed into candied fruit, compote, or liqueur. Heating removes the astringency, and the flesh turns a vibrant red.
The components in karin fruit are said to be effective for soothing throat inflammation such as coughs and phlegm, and it is often included in throat lozenges（「のど飴」）.
In haiku poetry, “karin blossoms” (hanakarin) （「花梨の花」（花かりん））are a spring seasonal word, while “karin fruit（「花梨の実」）” is an autumn seasonal word.
③ Kuko(Goji berry)
This is a deciduous shrub belonging to the nightshade family, native to East Asia (China to Japan).
It is found in barren areas and other similar locations, blooming with pale purple flowers from summer to autumn, and bearing bright red fruits in the fall. It is used for food and medicine.
The origin of its Chinese name, “Gouqi(「枸杞」),” comes from an ancient Chinese text which states that “it has thorns like the trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and branches that grow flexibly like the willow (Salix gracilistyla), hence the name Gouqi.”
In some regions of Japan, it is also known by local dialects such as “Karasu Nanban,” “Kawara Hoozuki,” and “No Nanban.”
(3) Sa-row
① Sakuranbo(Cherry)
The fruit of the “Mizakura(「ミザクラ（実桜）」)” (Prunus serrulata), a species of cherry tree belonging to the genus Prunus in the Rosaceae family, is edible. The “Sato Nishiki(「佐藤錦」)” variety from Yamagata Prefecture, which boasts the highest domestic production volume, is famous.
Sometimes the tree is called “Ōtō” (桜桃), and the fruit is called “Sakuranbo” (さくらんぼ).
“Sakuranbo” is derived from “Sakura no Bō” (桜の坊), meaning “cherry fruit,” where the “no” undergoes a nasalization and the final vowel becomes short.
You can sometimes see small “Sakuranbo” on Somei Yoshino(「ソメイヨシノ（染井吉野）」) cherry trees, but they are far too small to be eaten.
② Zakuro(Pomegranate)
It is a deciduous small tree belonging to the genus Punica in the family Lythraceae. It is also written as “石榴” or “若榴”.
It is cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and is also edible. I once received a pomegranate from a neighbor and ate it; it was beautiful, resembling a tiny ruby jewel, but not particularly tasty. It was more of a conversation starter.
In English, it is called “pomegranate.”
“Grenadine syrup,” which appears in recipes for sweets and cocktails, was originally made from pomegranate juice. This comes from the French word for pomegranate, “grenade.”
In haiku, “pomegranate (fruit)” is a seasonal word for “autumn,” but “pomegranate flower” is a seasonal word for “summer.”
Example haiku:The young leader has a pomegranate on his desk. (Yosa Buson)
・若長が 机のうへの ざくろかな（与謝蕪村）
③ Suika(Watermelon)
It’s a climbing annual plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Since watermelons are nearly 90% water, they are also written as “水瓜” (watermelon). The English name “watermelon” is quite accurate.
As a side note, while “南瓜” (nankin) refers to pumpkin, there are no “北瓜” (northern watermelon) or “東瓜” (eastern watermelon). This is because both “西瓜” (watermelon) and “南瓜” (southern watermelon) are originally Chinese words, referring to melons grown in the west (Western Asia) and south (Southeast Asia) from the perspective of China.
If there were a “北瓜” (northern watermelon), it would refer to a melon from around Mongolia, and if there were a “東瓜” (eastern watermelon), it would refer to a melon from the Korean Peninsula or the Japanese archipelago.
However, the word “北瓜” actually existed and was apparently a different variety of watermelon. But this word didn’t become very widespread.
There’s another word, “togan（「冬瓜（とうがん）」）,” which sounds very similar to “touga.” While “togan” is a summer vegetable, it can be stored whole until winter, hence the name “touga” (winter melon), which later evolved into “togan.”
④ Sudachi (Japanese citrus fruit)
It is an evergreen shrub to medium-sized tree belonging to the citrus family, and its fruit is native to Tokushima Prefecture. I, for one, can hardly distinguish it from “kabosu” and rarely have the opportunity to eat it, but a colleague of mine from Tokushima Prefecture, when I was a working professional, was very proud of this “sudachi.”
The name “sudachi” originated from “sutachibana” (酢橘), meaning “vinegar tachibana,” due to its use as a source of vinegar, but the current common name is “sudachi.”
⑤ Sumomo（Plum ）
It is a deciduous small tree belonging to the genus Prunus in the family Rosaceae. It is also written as “酢桃” (sūmomo).
Plums are not as familiar to us as food because their fruit is more acidic than peaches.
However, they are well-known through proverbs such as “Don’t adjust your hat under a plum tree” and “Though peaches and plums do not speak, a path is naturally formed beneath them,” as well as the tongue twister “Plums and peaches are both types of peaches.”
They are also memorable because they are common surnames in Korea, such as those of the first South Korean president, Syngman Rhee, and professional female golfers Lee Bo-mi and Lee Ji-hee.
(4) Ha-row
① Hassaku (a type of citrus fruit)
This is a large citrus fruit native to Japan, belonging to the Rutaceae family. It has a unique bitterness and sourness, but when fresh, it’s a delicious mandarin orange with plenty of juice.
Its place of origin is Innoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, but currently, Wakayama Prefecture accounts for nearly 70% of production.
The name “Hassaku(「八朔」)” is said to originate from the fact that it was eaten around the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar (Hassaku), but in reality, the fruit is still small and unsuitable for eating at this time. Currently, it is harvested from December to February, ripened in a cool, dark place for 1-2 months to reduce the sourness, and then shipped.
② Busshukan(Buddha’s Hand Citron)
It is an evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae. It is also called “Bushukan.”
Originally a variety of the “Citron” native to India, its fruit resembles human fingers, and because it evokes the image of “Senju Kannon(「千手観音」)” (Thousand-Armed Kannon) (see image below), it came to be called “Buddha’s Hand Citron.”
It is said that planting it in one’s garden brings prosperity to the family for generations to come(「代々（橙）家が栄える」). Furthermore, the widening shape of the fruit is considered auspicious, symbolizing “ever-increasing prosperity(「末広がり」),” and it is used as a lucky charm(「縁起物」), often displayed during the New Year to pray for business success.
③ Ponkan (Convex Citrus)
This citrus fruit, native to India and belonging to the Rutaceae family, was introduced to Kagoshima in 1896 (Meiji 29) via China and Taiwan.
The “Pon” in “Ponkan (Ponkan Orange)” is said to come from “Poona” in western India, and “Kan” from the Japanese character for citrus, “Kan.”
The kanji character “椪” used for “Pon” refers to a type of Machilus thunbergii tree, and while its Japanese reading means sawtooth oak, it is a phonetic equivalent.
Ponkan oranges are sweeter and have a richer flavor than regular Unshu mandarins(「温州（うんしゅう）みかん」).
It is a parent variety of the popular spring citrus fruit, “Dekopon.” “Dekopon” was created by crossbreeding “Kiyomi Tangor” and “Nakano No. 3 (Ponkan).” The “Pon” in “Dekopon” comes from “Ponkan.”
Incidentally, “Dekopon” as a commercially available fruit (see image below) is a registered trademark owned by the Kumamoto Fruit Growers Association, and refers to Shiranui-type varieties with a sugar content of 13 or higher.
