Summer flowers in Japan: safflowers

Safflower is not a flower you here much about in Japan. I just happen to live beside a city, Okegawa City, that is famed for its safflower. The safflower is not just the official flower of the city, the city is known for its safflower production and distribution. It is the second largest producer after Mogami in Yamagata prefecture. 

Production of the safflower has declined since the Meiji era. It was at its peak when Okegawa was a post (inn) town on the Nakasendo highway. However, Okegawa still celebrates its safflower heritage with its safflower fields and safflower festival annually in June. The festival was on last week, but unfortunately the safflower where not in bloom at the time. They are blooming now.

Safflower are called Benibana in Japanese. They were brought to Japan via the Silk Road. Reportedly, safflower is one of the world's oldest crops. They are a thistle like plant with bright orange-yellow flowers. Generally, they grow around June. In some places they may flower as early as May or as late as July. They are the (birthday) flower of June 11th. They are said to mean "makeup!", "attire" and "tolerance" in the hanakotoba, language of flowers. 

Have you seen any safflowers in bloom in your time in Japan?