Sept 9 is Japan’s Chrysanthemum Festival
Today is ChōYō No Sekku, or the Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan.
Do not think yourself
The vanishing dew.
Think instead
Of the long-blooming
Chrysanthemum flower.
https://www.zusetsu.com/post/the-chrysanthemum-festival
Chrysanthemum and Bamboo Pattern Furisode (detail) and Chrysanthemum and Inamura Chicken Pattern Kimono (part)
Issued by Japan in 2021
Part of the Japanese Tradition and Culture Series 4 – Kimono set
Designer: Kaibuchi Junko (貝淵 純子)
A perfect set to celebrate the Chrysanthemum Festival
In traditional Japanese culture, chrysanthemums were believed to have the power to prolong life. As a result, the custom of soaking their flowers in alcohol (and creating chrysanthemum’s sake) or using them in bathwater has been passed down across generations. One of the old customs involved placing cotton on chrysanthemum flowers on the night before the festival. The scent is transferred into the cotton along with the morning dew, and is then used to purify one’s body as a way of praying for youth and longevity.
Before adapting the Gregorian calendar, the lunar calendar was the main system for recording dates and years in Japan. As such, although September 9th was the original date of the Chrysanthemum Festival back when the lunar calendar was still in use, it would have fallen on October according to the Gregorian calendar. For farmers, this would have been the time of harvesting crops, which led to yet another name this festival is known by – the Chestnut Festival. Traditionally seasonal foods such as chestnut rice or buns would be eaten in celebration. Today too, you can find many chestnut sweets sold alongside chrysanthemum sweets during this time. Eating them is a form of celebrating harvest as well as praying for a long, healthy life.
https://kyoto.travel/en/travel-inspiration/chrysanthemum-festival/
I know, I know, I did this one last year, but I loved the 2021 stamps and just wanted to use them for a SOD. Plus I found a great site (first link) that has some history, artwork and traditional stories attached to the significance of the Chrysanthemum. So don’t miss it. . https://www.zusetsu.com/post/the-chrysanthemum-festival
SODs to go:
Chrysanthemum Festival takes place Sept 9 each year in Japan