Chrysanthemum Festival at Osaka Castle

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In the last newsletter, we wrote a little about the chrysanthemum. We recently visited Osaka Castle to see The Chrysanthemum Festival, so we would like to introduce more examples of the beauty of the chrysanthemum. The Chrysanthemum Festival is held every Autumn and lots of chrysanthemum flowers are displayed. The main display is in front of the castle tower - a large gourd motif made of chrysanthemums. The gourd is the symbol for the banner of Hide Toyotomi who built this Osaka Castle.

Many chrysanthemums are displayed with each gardener's name. The flowers are very large and luxurious. Although very similar, there are subtle but important differences between the flowers, which we can't see. Even the small chrysanthemums are beautiful and cute.

Please enjoy our photos of chrysanthemums at Osaka castle.

When I was a child, 'kiku-ningyo'(chrysanthemum doll - costumes of dolls are made of chrysanthemum flowers and leaves) were displayed in Hirakata Park every autumn. Cultivation of chrysanthemum has been popular since olden times. The Edo period (1603-1868) was the peak of its popularity. Kiku-ningyo displays were held everywhere in Japan but recently there are fewer kiku-ningyo available. The most popular display was the Hirakata Park Kiku Ningyo which ended four years ago and then Hirakata Amusement Park closed. Here are the last kiku-ningyo photos of Hirakata park.

http://yaccyann.cool.ne.jp/hirakata2/

(Please click photo image to make the photo larger. And click the short text link below the larger photo - you can see the beautiful full scale photos. Its theme of dolls are Yoshitsune, famous samurai hero.)

However, Kiku-ningyo festival can be still seen -

(1)Takehu Kiku Doll - early November to early December, Echizen City Takefu-chuo-koen (2)Nihonmatsu Kiku Doll - November 1s to December 23th every year, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima pref. (3)Nanyo Kiku Festival - the oldest one in Japan. early November to early December, Nanyo City, Yamagata pref.

These festivals are held mainly in the northern part of Japan. It is far from Osaka, but if you have a chance to go there, seeing kiku dolls will be very interesting.

• Osaka Castle - Osaka Castle

• Takehu Kiku Doll - Takehu Kiku Doll

• Nihonmatsuu Kiku Doll - Nihonmatsuu Kiku Doll

• Nanyo Kiku Festival - Nanyo Kiku Festival

Please add your comment here! †

• Wow, a bonsai chrysanthemum!!! Love the spider mums! -- Carolyn Frye? 2009-11-11 (Wed) 04:06:02
• Exquisite! -- Jenny? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 18:33:13
• I guess you can make a Bonsai out of almost any plant! Amazing! I keep learning so much from your news letters. I keep wishing I could visit Japan some day. -- Debbie? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 16:33:19
• absolutely beautiful Thank You for sharing. -- dm Hillary? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 14:43:39
• Gorgeous photos. Love the bonsai ! -- MARION NY? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 12:23:09
• Gorgeous photos. Love the bonsai ! -- MARION NY? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 12:22:56
• Your chrysanthemum photos are just beautiful. I haven't seen chrysanthemums used in the making of bonsai art before. Thank you for sharing your many awesome photos. I look forward to your e-mails and will be traveling to Japan soon but I will miss visiting Osaka so thanks again! -- Carol? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 05:46:16
• The bonsai mum is captivating. I can only stare and be filled with wonder. -- Bettye? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 00:36:15
• A bonsai chrysanthemum! It is indeed a world of wonders...... -- Karen? 2009-11-02 (Mon) 00:00:50
• I love your photos. I was fortunate to see them on a visit to Kyoto and was amazed to see how big they can be, the size of a human head. I love your country and really enjoy the history lessons you share with us. -- Denise Griffiths? 2009-11-01 (Sun) 23:00:21
• Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos. The bonsai mum is indeed fabulous. -- Mary F.? 2009-11-01 (Sun) 22:36:15
• Ichiro san, you are such a fine ambassador for Japan! I have learned so much about your fascinating country from reading your lively and always-interesting newsletters. And your photos are just awesome! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I always come away smiling, and shaking my head with wonder that I was fortunate enough to find your site! -- [[Joan ]] 2009-11-01 (Sun) 21:24:07
• The bonsai chrysanthemum is amazing! -- Trisha? 2009-11-01 (Sun) 19:14:43
• Your photos are just WONDERFUL. The chrysanthemums are so beautiful and remind me very much of the ones that my mother always had in her garden during the autumn months. They were her favorite flower. Some day I would enjoy seeing Osaka Castle in person at this time of year so that I could enjoy these lovely "mums". Thank you for once again sharing such lovely scenes from your country with us. -- Deborah? 2009-11-01 (Sun) 15:51:55

Original text is written by Ichiro on 1st Dec 2009. You can read the original text in this frozen page Chrysanthemum Festival at Osaka Castle(Original) This site is hosted by ICHIROYA