Photo by Shoji Kudaka ()
Before the start of Okinawa’s rainy season in May, a season of “urizun” arrives on the island. This is a time where the ground moisture is at its prime and wheat spikes begin to grow. Although there is a bit of rain, this season is considered to be a good one amongst the locals who welcome the warmer temperatures. Among many flowers that bloom during urizun, the galingale is the most symbolic. This plant with long green leaves and flowers in white, pink, and yellow are beautiful and are used for medicinal purposes as well. Galingale is used in spa and herbal medicinal treatments as it is thought to contain some antivirus element.
