Chrysanthemum Festival
Today is the Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan!
Also known as Chōyō, it is the last of the five ancient sacred festivals marking the changing of the seasons and is mentioned in writing from as early as AD 2. It is common practice to climb a mountain, drink chrysanthemum liquor, and wear a chrysanthemum or zhuyu plant on this day to ward off danger and evil.
Each year, it falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese calendar – today!
A semi-precious stone netsuke with a gold chrysanthemum, Japan, 1750–1850.
Ink and colour on paper drawing of a chrysanthemum and a bee. Qi Baishi, c 1863 – 1957. China
The Chrysanthemum Festival, a colour woodblock print by Hosoda Eishi and published by Nishimuraya Yohachi, c. 1794 - c. 1795
