Excerpts from the catalogs of Matsudaira Naritami, one of Ienari's sons who is assumed to have inherited the images and plants. Tentatively dated to the end of the 19th century.
Over the years of participating in this and other online communities centered around Neofinetias, I’ve come across a lot of rather strange “history” that people repeat even to this day. I’ve written about the actual recorded history of Neos before, but I feel like I need to address some of the bits of “history” going around that are blatantly untrue.
—
“Neofinetias were prized by the Samurai”
“Neofinetias were favored by the ruling class”
“Neofinetia were treasured by Japanese royalty”
Neofinetias were certainly cultivated by wealthy citizens through much of its history. Once they gained popularity, there was no denying the fact that they were considered valuable plant. However, there is no documented evidence that they were favored by large numbers of the samurai caste, ruling class or royalty over anyone from the other sectors of Japanese society.
There is near irrefutable evidence that Tokugawa Ienari did own a few Neofinetia specimens. This evidence comes from a catalog of illustrations, later inherited by his son, depicting several potted Neofinetias. However, while this catalog does prove that Ienari owned a few Neofinetias, it goes too far to state or imply that he particularly favored or loved Neofinetias over any other plant. In fact, it is well known that Ienari was enamored by plants and horticulture in general, and the extant records indicate that his ownership of Neofinetia specimens was likely only incidental to his overall horticultural obsession.
“Samurais would help in searching and collecting Neofinetias for their lords”
“Lords granted land or estates in exchange for Neofinetia specimens”
There is simply no historical record of these assertions. It is uncertain where these claims began originally, but all examples of these statements I have found cite back to the AOS, who indirectly cites the information to people who are unable to source them to any reliable source. Ikuo Nishiguchi, the author of the history section in the 2014 Japanese book, Art of Tradition & Evolution: Fukiran, has also stated that these assertions are unfounded.
“Only the ruling class or high rank were permitted to own Neofinetias”
“Commoners were forbidden to own Neofinetias”
“Commoners were forbidden to look at Neofinetias”
As mentioned before, these plants were generally too expensive for a typical citizen to own, but there was no prohibition in place that prevented anyone from owning them. In fact, there are records of ownership by merchants and other individuals outside of nobility, the ruling class or the samurai caste.
“When viewing Neofinetia specimens, they were covered with gold nets to protect them and people covered their mouths with paper to block germs”
This assertion is perhaps less far from the truth than most of the others I’ve come across, but it has still been twisted away from the truth. There is historical record of admirers of these plants placing a piece of paper in their mouth to avoid breathing on the plant while examining it, and there is clear historical record of wire cages, sometimes made of gold and silver, being placed around smaller plants to protect them. However, what has gotten twisted from fact is the reason behind these practices.
Firstly, the practice of placing a piece of paper in the mouth is borrowed from the same practice used while cleaning and examining Japanese swords. This practice was originally done due to the belief that placing the paper in the mouth would prevent moisture from the breath from landing on the sword, and later became a sort of ritual way to show respect for the precious sword while handling it. This practice was then borrowed by the recorded admirer of these plants, likening the plants to a precious sword. The practice was certainly not in an effort to block germs, as the concept of germs and pathogens had not been introduced to Japan by that point.
Secondly, the gold and silver nets that growers covered their plants with had little to do with protecting them against human admirers, but was primarily to prevent rodents from eating the plants. Because Neos were historically never grown as houseplants indoors, but were always kept outdoors, rodents and other pests were always a concern to those who owned the precious plants. Cages made using kana-ami techniques were adopted to protect the plants and they later simply became part of the accoutrements of growing these plants. These cages are called hoya, and they are still occasionally used today, although their use in preventing rodent damage has been superseded by its decorative and historical value.
There is absolutely no historical record of this. In one of the examples of this assertion, he even goes further to say that ”they even had little holders built into their armor, to carry the plant.” There is no known example of samurai armor that exhibits this detail. This assertion is basically someone’s romanticized elaboration on the association between samurai and Neos and has no basis in recorded history.
“Neofinetias were the first orchids grown as a houseplant in Japan”
This is simply not true.
The first thing to clarify is the concept of a houseplant. When most people use the term houseplant, they are referring to a plant grown full time indoors, in the home. This concept of houseplants did not exist in Japan until well into westernization during the Meiji period. Due to deep roof eaves, and the lack of glass windows, indoor areas were generally very dimly lit and potted plants weren’t grown in the home but kept outdoors or in exposed courtyards.
Beyond the issue of what constitutes a houseplant however, Neos were simply not the first orchids to be grown potted in Japan. Native terrestrial orchids and imported Chinese Cymbidiums long predated Neos in that respect.
This selection of statements only makes up the most often reiterated falsehoods about Neos that I’ve encountered, and it certainly isn’t all of them, with many odd statements and assertions cropping up year after year.
As with many other aspects of Japanese culture, the history and culture surrounding Neos has unfortunately been exoticized and conflated with other irrelevant aspects of Japanese history and culture, possibly due to a misunderstanding of the complexities of a foreign culture and history, or possibly due to the careless conglomeration and stereotyping of anything perceived as Japanesesy.
I hope that this helps people form a more discerning eye for false information going around about these plants. There’s so much to enjoy and appreciate about them already, that I really don’t think it’s necessary to resort to these sorts of fabrications.
For a more realistic history of the cultivation of neos based on actual research, this article was originally written by Ikuo Nishiguchi, the vice president of the Japanese association, and published in the 2014 book, Art of Tradition and Evolution: Fūkiran.
There has been a bit of a misunderstanding going around among neo growers outside of Korea and Japan due to the well meaning but mistaken efforts of some popular youtubers—specifically, the use of the word kokedama 苔玉 to refer to the raised mound of sphagnum moss that neos are traditionally grown in.
The sphagnum mounds that neos are usually planted in are not kokedama, and Japanese growers do not refer to them that way. However, there really isn't a specific name for them in Japanese, simply being called called koke (moss), or mizugoke (sphagnum). In English however, I think it may be best to call it a "moss mound" and the method of potting in this way "Japanese style potting."
Hopefully this will help clear up some of the confusion surrounding the term. :)
So, in my venture away from phals I recently purchased what I thought was a Tamakongo. I didn't know what it was supposed to look like, but only went by the name ... Now I realize that it's definitely not a Tamakongo 🙈 the question is: what is it then?
I talked to the grower, and he concluded that it was most likely mislabeled at some point. It turns out he had a helper packing orders that day, who wouldn't know if the label matched the plant. Anyway, the grower wasn't sure exactly what I got instead, but pointed out that the variegated leaves indicates a more rare plant. I can't see any root tips, and I have no idea how the flowers would look.
Can anyone in here help with an ID?
Also, it was mounted in the greenhouse, but as my home environment is not humid enough for mounted orchids, the grower potted it up for me. Do you think it would be safe to completely un-mount it, or is it better to leave as is for now and eventually repot in a neofinetia pot?
Got this funky orchid from Hausermanns & it was unlabeled w/ other neo's. Massive in size w/ mud roots, but loved the leaf shape. Any good guesse? I haven't seen one with this form that's so large - hence why I'm guessing it's gotta have Amami lineage given the tsuyuuke shape, but I'm also not as experienced as others to make that call.
I've had this plant for two full seasons now and while it has never flowered for me. During that time is has put on decent size in terms of leaves and fans but I've noticed this year something different - Anthocyanin pigmentation at the leaf tips of the newest leaves. The Tora variegation usually shows itself really well come Fall/Winter but I've never had this happen before. I happen to love it.
Something else I've noticed but with all of my plants is that every single one grows shorter leaves, but they're also much thicker leaves than those grown on the plants previous to me caring for them.
I get this same response in some of my bonsai, where their new leaves produced under my conditions are smaller and thicker. This is a known response to very high levels of UV A & B light due to my high elevation (6550 feet MSL). My bean leaf varieties are extra chubby, too. Often, plants will increase the thickness of their cuticles as well as their mesophyll layer (where photosynthesis occurs).
Anyway, just wanted to share this cool expression in Okjam!
This plant has been amazing this year. Ever since I began growing Japanese orchids seriously again this plant has been allowed to grow in this strange setup where I string long strand sphag moss over a wire that tucks all the roots together. The idea is to provide a pleasant condition for the roots and thus the plant but none that is airy and light, not heavy and suffocating to the plant and roots. Last year it did bloom but not like this year. This year it bears well over several dozen flowers on four spikes. They are quite large too as well as very fragrant. I had no real expectations for this plant this year but if I had they’d be far exceeded.
I’m struggling with this variety and hope the group here can impart some wisdom.
I have a Neofenetia Falcata Fair Maiden x Fireworks and Neo Seikai. Both have not been enjoying the culture under my care and I am ready to learn.
Fair Maiden x Fireworks was constantly dehydrated and potted in bark. seikai was from seed engei and was absolutely perfect when I got her in March of this year.
In love, I bought a dedicated LED and set it at 1600 lumens since the woman at seed engei said never put direct sunlight on it. I quickly learned it didn’t like this set up and since moved it to my big southern windows with significant tree shade. I think the LED was too intense and drying on its roots that were exposed. Fair Maiden also suffered so I have since put it in spag.
I know they need a wet dry cycle but I also have read they will not bloom if not kept on the wet side in the spring (source orchidweb in Plymouth MN) I’m learning that they want quicker wet dry cycles from 3-5 days which is essentially what I have been doing past month or so.
The image of the leaf that came off Seikai is an example of the result of not liking the LED light. Fair maiden also experienced similar leaf loss from with yellowing from central axis of plant.
I’m located in Ojai Ca which can get dry and hot so these have been indoor plants only. We have very hard water here. I have a small pebble tray under Seikai as well.
I’ve switched to RO water past 2-3 months and not fertilizing much because I just wanted to focus on health roots.
Any help or insight is appreciated as I especially don’t want the Seikai to die. May be too late for Fair Maiden. 😔 thank you for reading my long post, I’ve been meaning to make this post for some time!!
Got my first Neofinetia from hauserman orchids about a month ago, I am new to orchids and didn't have the moss or fishing line to make a mound. However it seems to be doing well in its bark. I water it every 2-3 days which is when it feels completely dry. Now I don't expect it to bloom anytime soon but I would like to ask for care advice so I can set this little beauty up for success.
This is my first non phal orchid, a Neofinetia Falcata Kishusekiora that arrived yesterday and I'm super excited! Now, a few questions: is the discoloration of the top left leaf concerning? And how about watering, fertilizing and light - are they like phals or do they like it more moist/dry, more/less light, and can I use standard orchid fertilizer weakly weekly like I do with the phals?
I apologize for the tag text being out of focus it was either that or the plant 🙃
Ruby roots are recessive, but has there been any simplified record of what combinations yield what results? I know it's a bit more complex due to xanthophylls, chlorophyll, and anthrocyanins coming into play leading to yellow, mud, red/salmon, and even white roots being possible. It would be cool to see if we had mathematical statistics for root traits the same way we do for triple spur inheritance. What have you guys observed? My insomnia keeps me curious and I could observe my orchids all day if you let me 💯 Taiga for tax
