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How was Japanese star anise used to keep time?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

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The shikimi or Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum Linnaeus = I. religiosum Siebold & Zuccarini) was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks. These small evergreen trees, native to China, were planted in groves about the temples. Shikimi is one of forty-two species of Illicium. The anise trees have an odd disjunct range—southern Asia, northeastern Mexico, and
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Yakuyoke Amida Buddha, Japan
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southeastern US.

All Illicium species are considered poisonous, but one, the true star anise (Illicium verum Hooker f.). The true star anise is used for flavoring and a very good reason for purchasing the spice only from reputable dealers. The toxins are violent poisons causing vomiting, epileptic-like convulsions, cyanosis (blue) of the face, dilated pupils, and death. Toxic species like shikimi are sometimes used to adulterate the true spice and it is not a new problem. King's American Dispensatory written in 1898 complained of the presence of shikimi among the fruits of the true spice. (Harvey W. Felter MD and John U. Lloyd, PhrM, PhD)

The various species are more or less fragrant; ethereal oils from the crushed leaves having scents like magnolia, liquorice, or sassafras (root beer). The generic name refers to the aromas coming from the Latin illicere "allure, entice, or charm". The common name is a reference to the aggregate fruits which contain the seeds. The dry fruits, known as follicles, are arranged radially like starbursts.

In Japan, the pale yellow flowering branches of shikimi are offered at gravesites to honor the dead. The bark is powdered and burned as incense in Buddhist temples. Shikimi incense has an interesting trait: it burns slowly and evenly. The incense placed in thin cylinders burns so smoothly that it was used by watchmen and monks to keep time.

Botany Photo of the Day, a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada has posted a close-up of the unique and beautiful flower of the shikimi (Illicium anisatum). To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2006/03/illicium_anisatum.php

(Compiled from: W3 TROPICOS, Jim Solomon, Missouri Botanical Garden; The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 20th Edition, 1918, Published on the Internet by the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine, Michael Moore; The 1889 Century Unabridged Dictionary, Century Dictionary Online, Global Language Resources; "Neurotoxicities in Infants Seen with the Consumption of Star Anise Tea", Diego Ize-Ludlow, MD, Sean Ragone, MD, Isaac S. Bruck, PhD, Jeffrey N. Bernstein, MD, Michael Duchowny, MD, and Barbara M. Garcia Peña MD, MPH, Pediatrics, PediaLink.org, Oct. 18, 2004)

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