Bronze sculpture representing a group of genoderma mushrooms developing on the
long stem of a Ginseng root that is standing on two kakis. Logically this root would be
Panax ginseng, the Asian breed, as a matter of fact the peduncle is longer that the petiole
(the part surmounted with a flower and surrounded by leaves), which is not the case
with the American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).
Plant with medicinal virtues known for centuries, the ginseng was believed to cure
any disease, its scientific name through Greek gave the word panacea, today its still
cultivated all around the world and consumed to boost intellectual performance and
stress resistance. The shiny Ganoderma mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) also known as Reishi (霊芝) that could be translated into “Holy spirit mushroom or divine mushroom”.
This word is actually the Japanese transcription of the Chinese: 灵芝 / 靈芝,
pronounced língzhī in Chinese. The same mushroom has several names that refer either to the
idea of a long life or to a ladle because it is said to look like this specific kitchenware.
Mushroom with a bitter taste and with no great culinary value it is indeed well known as a
remedy of the traditional Chinese medicine since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). At the time it
was known to be an antioxidant and used as a cosmetic and for nutritional purposes. Some
recent studies demonstrate a limited field of application but with an impact backed by clinical
testing. And it showed anti carcinogen and anti-cancerous properties as well as a potential
effect against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Japan – Meiji era – (1600-1868)
Height : 11 cm – Length: 12 cm – width: 5 cm