The "No-azami" (Cirsium japonicum) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is a perennial herb that is distributed from Honshu to Shikoku, Kyushu in Japan, as well as the Korean Peninsula and China. This herb grows in mountains and fields, and can reach 50-100 cm in height. The basal leaves are divided into lobes pinnately and remain until flowering season. The cauline leaves are alternate and enfold stems. The magenta flowerheads are borne on the branch ends from May to August. It is only species that blooms in spring. It is defined by mucusy involucres. In Chinese, it is called "薊" (ji).