Because lotus seeds and lotus leaves used in the Urabon Festival (a festival of the dead held on Buddhist All Souls' Day, which is usually around the 15th of July or August, depending on the local custom) were accorded particularly high value, and most goods that were put on trays using lotus leaves or leaves of fuki (Japanese butterbur) were sold, persons dealing with seasonal goods were described as being in the 'trade of lotus leaves.'
その中で盂蘭盆(うらぼん)に使う蓮の実や蓮の葉が特に珍重された事や、商品の多くを蓮の葉や蕗（ふき）の葉の皿の上に置いて売っていたという事などから、季節物を扱う商人を「蓮の葉商い」（はすのはあきない）と呼ぶようになった。