Chrysanthemum Day, known as chōyō no sekku (重陽の節句), concludes the cycle of gosekku (五節句), the five ancient sacred festivals in Japan. Falling on the ninth day of the ninth month, it coincides with the chrysanthemum blooming. In ancient times, the celebrations included the custom of drinking sake infused with chrysanthemum petals. People believed that the beverage had medicinal and life extending properties.
In Japanese culture, the peony, known as botan (牡丹), is often associated with prosperity, abundance, and wealth. Its large, lush flowers and vibrant colours symbolise opulence and success. When depicted on a kimono, peonies may convey wishes for financial prosperity and material abundance.
This motif is closely associated with young women, and symbolises the Tanabata festival which celebrates the yearly reunion of the Herdsman (Altair) and Weaver Girl (Vega) stars. Legend tells of their love and reunion on the seventh day of the seventh month after being separated by the Heavenly River (Milky Way). On a teenage girl’s kimono, the motif invokes wishes of excellence in the crafts of weaving, sewing and embroidery.
In kimono design, the red-crowned Japanese crane was usually imbued with an auspicious meaning. It symbolises not only peace, loyalty, gratitude, and wisdom, but also reflects the wearers’ prospects for eternal youth and longevity. Its association with the kikko pattern, characterised by a hexagonal design reminiscent of a tortoiseshell, reinforces this symbolism by evoking the Japanese saying, “Cranes live a thousand years, tortoises ten thousand.”
Chrysanthemums, known as kiku (菊) in Japanese, were introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the 8th century. Revered as the imperial emblem for centuries, they symbolise longevity, rejuvenation, and the imperial family. Chrysanthemums are deeply rooted in Japanese mythology and folklore, often depicted as divine with mystical properties.
Sakura (桜) or the cherry blossom is known for its distinctively short lifespan in Japan. Once this tree begins to bloom, the flowers will only endure for one or two weeks, before the "sakura snow" falls to the ground. Due to this fleeting phenomenon, these flowers always represent the transience of life and beauty.
