Chrysanthemum. Floral symbol of Japan

These flowers are not only loved, they are adored by everyone - from small to large, from the emperor to the last poor man. Even in the Heian era, when chrysanthemums were blooming, common people decorated their houses with them, and the nobility rode on "chrysanthemum" boats. Poems were written about these flowers, songs were sung, poetry competitions were held in their honor.

Chrysanthemum in Japan is surrounded by love and care. The Japanese have no equal in the industrial cultivation of these flowers, in the creation of new varieties. In total, there are about five thousand species of this plant in Japan. These flowers have a long flowering period. Because of this, in Japanese culture, chrysanthemum personifies happiness and longevity, and dew collected from chrysanthemum prolongs life.

For several centuries, ordinary amateurs and professional gardeners have done everything possible to improve the last flower of the year, to diversify its color to an already bizarre and sophisticated form.

Large and small, with pointed or rounded petals on stems or on bushes, chrysanthemums are stunning to this day. There are flowers the size of a plate - one flower on one stem. There are flowers with petals rolled inward, reminiscent of large snow balls.

Some chrysanthemums have their petals hanging in hundreds of long strings, while others have flowers that look like sunflowers. There are bushes that resemble a loose peacock's tail, as flowers shine on them different color and size.

Chrysanthemum time

On September 9, all of Japan celebrates the holiday of chrysanthemums. The history of this holiday began in 1186. Initially, these were celebrations associated with longevity. Since chrysanthemum is a symbol of longevity, later the holiday will receive a second name - the Festival of Chrysanthemums. And in the Tokugawa era, he entered the number of public holidays.

In ancient times, this holiday was celebrated only at the court, where, at the invitation of the emperor, the court nobility, poets, and musicians gathered. Everyone had to compose a poem in honor of the celebration.

During the Chrysanthemum Festival, flower beds with chrysanthemums bloom throughout the country, flower exhibitions are held, and festivals of dolls are held. Dolls, both individual characters and whole pictures on historical, religious or mythological subjects, are created from living plants, for which a special bamboo frame is prepared, and the face, arms and legs - from wax or papier-mâché, very carefully and naturally.

The costumes and the background on which the action takes place (waterfalls, mountains, buildings) are created from leaves and flowers different varieties chrysanthemums. Selecting different shapes and shades of chrysanthemums, they make up the lilac capes of the courtiers - from lilac petals, green hakama pants - from leaves, yellow hats - from yellow varieties.

In the morning and in the evening, these plants are watered with water, so that they remain alive for a whole month. If individual plants get sick or wither ahead of time, they are carefully replaced with new ones, and the dolls and landscapes hardly change. Well, maybe the pose of the hero or the lighting of the grove changes a little.

The Japanese Chrysanthemum Festival is no less spectacular than the carnival in

I returned home to Europe, the cold rain outside the window, and the romance sounds again

Faded for a long time
Chrysanthemums in the garden
And love lives on
In my heart is sick.

(Nikolay Harito, "Chrysanthemums", 1910)

To keep warm, I go through sunny Korean autumn photos taken in Seoul. And at the same time I remember the warm autumn in Tokyo. But better, the chrysanthemums themselves will tell you about everything.

From the Korean autumn with love.

Flowers, like people, in autumn in northern latitudes they are sad and hide in greenhouses, and in southern latitudes they rejoice at the end summer heat... In South Korea, I realized that chrysanthemum is not sadness, but the sun. It is a pity that then I behaved frivolously, filmed with an ordinary "soap box" in automatic mode without bothering yourself "macro". So, here you will not see individual pistils and stamens, but you will see chrysanthemums in mass, in a stream, in a round dance, as an ordinary passerby sees them, hurrying to the metro.

Seoul, Gangnam-Gu (Korean 강남구 new romanization Gangnam-gu).

Here, next to COEX, on a sunny evening on October 27, 2006, I took my first photos of chrysanthemums on the run. True, in this ultra-modern area of Seoul, some Koreans stopped to bow to Chrysanthemum. Most often, this is done by elderly Koreans who studied under the Japanese. Indeed, in Japan it is customary to admire every shade and every petal of a flower, and at the same time reflect on the path traveled and the meaning of life.

“Don't be afraid to bend a little, you will straighten up straighter” (Japanese proverb).

Japan and Korea are similar to each other as rival sisters, and each considers itself the first. And their chrysanthemums too. But, this is how you look, if from the East, the sun first rises over Japan - the Land of the Rising Sun and illuminates Korea - the Land of Morning Freshness, although Tokyo and Seoul are in the same time zone. But, if you look from the West, the main culture went from China through Korea to Japan, transforming along the way. But made in China, it was, is, and will be, at least in Asia. And the best Chinese teas are not complete without small chrysanthemum flowers.

Chrysanthemum Nanjing, one of the species used in traditional Chinese medicine

In Europe, the name of the flower Chrysanthemum (Latin Chrysánthemum) comes from the Greek χρῡσανθής, "golden-colored", and is explained by the yellow color of the inflorescences. It is a genus of annuals and perennial plants family Astrovye, close to the genera Yarrow and Tansy. It has 29 species. Chrysanthemums need temperate climate, but most of them grow in Asia: in China, Korea and Japan.

What kind of chrysanthemum is it? Chinese, Korean, Japanese? Delicate flower does not talk about citizenship.

Later I learned that this large yellow chrysanthemum with petals arranged asymmetrically and curved upwards is called "King's Pleasure" - Class 1 - Chrysanthemum - Irregular Incurve - "First-class Royal Pleasure with petals curled up at random."

But the closest thing to the Imperial throne came a modest 16-petal chrysanthemum, which is exaltedly called "silver / gold". V modern encyclopedias these are Japanese chrysanthemums (lat. Chrysanthemum japonese, angl. Gold / Silver Chrysanthemum silver / gold chrysanthemum, NS.ashizuri noji- giku Ashizuri- Holly-leaved wild roadside daisy). Blooms mainly from October to December

Imperial seal, 50 yen coin, 10,000 yen commemorative coin for the 20th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the reigning emperor and the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, established by Emperor Medzi in 1876.

Unfortunately, I do not know exactly what kind of yellow chrysanthemum served as the original for her schematic image on the seal, coins and order.

These small yellow chrysanthemums can also serve as a model for the Imperial seal.

And in Tokyo, in the Meiji Jingu Shinto temple complex, next to a gift from France - rows of Burgundy barrels, we often saw large spherical chrysanthemums, which in New International Encyclopedia, 1902 were called JAPANESE - JAPANESE.

True, we were in Tokyo at the beginning of November, and the Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan is celebrated on September 9th. In Japan, the ninth month, i.e. our September is called nagatsuki - month of long nights or kukuzuki - month of chrysanthemums. Nine in China, Korea and Japan is considered lucky number, and two nines in a row symbolize longevity. Therefore, starting in 1186, the day of September 9 in Japan turned into the holiday of Chrysanthemums.

In Japan, large spherical chrysanthemums with a diameter of more than 30 cm are especially valued. They are obtained by cutting off all the inflorescences from the bush, except one.

JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM INCURVED TYPE - Japanese chrysanthemum with curved petals

JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM RECURVED TYPE - Japanese chrysanthemum with curved petals

And these snow-white chrysanthemums are called OSTRICH PLUME in the encyclopedia.

Luxurious ostrich feather

We admired Japanese chrysanthemums in Meiji Jingu, this is not only the largest and most popular Shinto shrine in Tokyo, but also a sanctuary where the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken live. During his lifetime, the Emperor bore the name Mutsuhito, and ruled in Japan from 1868 to 1919. It is believed that never before in history has Japan made such a sharp leap from a backward feudal state into the number of leading world powers as it did during the Meiji era.

And in our IT century, advanced Japanese come to Meiji Jingu to ask for the blessings of the gods in various life endeavors, be it passing an important exam, a birthday, a business project or a wedding.

Sunday afternoon, at the entrance to Meiji Jingu. Chrysanthemums on the kimono of mom, grandmother and granddaughter.

The bride's hairstyle and wedding kimono are also decorated with chrysanthemums.

And this is a kimono with chrysanthemums in the window of an expensive store.

Live Japanese chrysanthemums adorn the altar with a statue of the goddess Kannon (Guan (shi) yin), found in the sea in 597 by two divers. The famous Japanese company Canon is named after this goddess.

Chrysanthemums next to the Kannon statue in the "golden hall" of Senso-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, built in 628 on the site of the discovery of the Kannon statue.

But almost the same chrysanthemums adorn altars in ancient Buddhist temples in South Korea.

Chrysanthemums in the altar of the "golden hall" of Gakhwangchen in the Hwaomsa Monastery, which belongs to the Choge Order of Korean Buddhism.

Gakhwangjeon (각황전, Gakhwangjeon) is considered the largest of the "golden halls" in South Korea.And the name Hwaomsa (화엄사, Hwaeomsa, sansr Avatamsaka, Japanese Kegon) means "Temple of the flower garland." This temple was founded by an Indian monk in 544 in the Chirisan mountains, was destroyed during the Japanese invasion in 1592. In our time, the restored Hwaomsa temple has become one of the most famous temples of Korean Buddhism ..

And on the territory of Hwaoms in November, large Japanese chrysanthemums with petals bent inward bloom - JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM INCURVED TYPE.

In addition to Buddhism, chrysanthemums in Korea have long served as a festive headdress in parades and in folk dances, which in many respects remained shamanic.

South Korea, Suwon. Opening of the annual Hwaseong Fortress Cultural Festival and reproduction of the Jeonjo royal procession.

Hwaseong (화성), translated as "Blooming Fortress", entered in the UNESO register, was erected in 1794-1796 by order of Jeonjo, the 22nd wang (king) of the Korean state of Joseon, in order to place the remains of Jeonjo's father, who was frozen famine on the orders of his grandfather as a result of palace intrigues.

It must be said that since 1905 Korea was under the protectorate of Japan, then from 1910 to 1945 it was completely annexed. Over the years, Japan has with a firm hand carried out the technical, economic and cultural modernization of Korea. At the same time, free medical care and education were available to Koreans. Even now, before building a new factory in a foreign country, the Japanese first open a university there, where they train well-trained technical personnel. As a result, Koreans have been assimilated for 30 years, and they still work and study almost like the Japanese. But, having achieved independence after the surrender of Japan in 1945, Koreans first of all began to eradicate everything Japanese, even to cut down cherry trees. Trees and flowers are affected by politics, just like people.

In the XXI, South Korea began to forget old grievances and also organize the Chrysanthemum Festival. But, of course, not like in Japan on September 9, but from October 16 to November 12, and they called it the Autumn Festival. But not only Korean, but also Japanese Chrysanthemums were allowed on it. And they allocated for this the most prestigious and expensive place in Seoul COEX - the Conference Center and one of the largest international shopping centers in South Korea.

COEX, Autumn Festival.

But since Korea competes with Japan in everything, including politeness, the path to the festival site began with a flower bed of Japanese Chrysanthemums.

In the center of modern Seoul, JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM INCURVED TYPE is a Japanese chrysanthemum with curved petals. Beauty is above politics.

But for half a century of independence, South Korea also has its own Korean chrysanthemums. Take a look at some of them.

In the Korean chrysanthemum, the inflorescences are not so large, but very cheerful.

Round dance of Korean chrysanthemums.

And here everything is already beautifully mixed: tender Korean, 16-petal golden Japanese, and white-pink chrysanthemum "pompom" - pom pon chysantemum. And then the silver Japanese chrysanthemum was added.

And here the silver Japanese chrysanthemum is also dancing in a common dance.

In this society, the golden Royal pleasure - "King" s Pleasure - Class 1 - Chrysanthemum - Irregular Incurve feels comfortable.

And here you just have a lot of fun.

Exciting sea of chrysanthemums.

And next to you awaits the autumn decoration of rural courtyards.

A friendly family of little chrysanthemums

Korean autumn is unthinkable without yellow butterflies.

In Korea and Japan, the butterfly is a symbol of joy and happiness.

And even higher is a map of South Korea made of yellow chrysanthemums, which ends in sulfur along the 38-parallel. In Korea yellow- this is the color of the Emperor of the Joseon times, when Korea was one and indivisible, it lasted for 518 years and ended with the annexation of Japan by Japan in 1910.

Chrysanthemum map of South Korea

And even higher - a sculpture of small chrysanthemums: Korean and Japanese.

Japanese and Korean chrysanthemums, hand in hand

Tokyo, Seoul

October, November 2006

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For several centuries, the Japanese chrysanthemum has been very popular with professional gardeners and florists. These plants bloom quite early, they are unpretentious to care for, and also help to give the garden an original, more attractive look.

Chrysanthemum has a rounded correct shape bush and many small inflorescences. They are distinguished by a variety of shapes and shades, which is why they can become a real decoration of the garden.

The history of the emergence of the culture of flowers

The birthplace of chrysanthemum is considered Southeast Asia, where this plant has been known since ancient times. This is evidenced by numerous legends, legends and Interesting Facts about these colors. They played a particularly prominent role in the culture of China and Japan.

Japanese chrysanthemums, the photo of which shows all their peculiarity, brightness and attractiveness, are very popular not only in the Land of the Rising Sun, but throughout Europe. In Japan, these flowers appeared in the 4th century and quickly spread there. They began to be called "kiku", which means "sun". New varieties of chrysanthemums are being cultivated in the country different shapes and coloring.

In the 10th century, Emperor Uda opened the first exhibition of the most beautiful chrysanthemums in the gardens of his palace in Tokyo. Then such exhibitions became a tradition, and the festival of chrysanthemums in Japan became an annual event.

Writers, folk craftsmen and poets paid much attention to the plant and assigned a special place in their work. Numerous literary works, scientific work, couplet hokku. Chrysanthemum occupies a special place in Japanese painting, so you can see the flower in various engravings. This indicates the importance of the plant to the culture of Japan.

Since 797, the Japanese chrysanthemum has adorned the coat of arms of this country, is depicted on coins and the highest order. In the past, the flower was depicted on samurai helmets, which symbolizes the rising sun.

In 1888, the Order of the Chrysanthemum was established in Japan. They were awarded to 100 people, which speaks of the value of this award. This flower has many different signs and superstitions.

Chrysanthemum meaning

Japanese chrysanthemums are considered a symbol of the sun. This flower represents the fast flow of life, its value and fragility. In addition, it is considered a symbol of long life.

Strong and flowering bush on the windowsill is considered an indicator of an emotionally stable atmosphere in the apartment. This plant helps to maintain mutual understanding and love in a married couple. In any case, chrysanthemum will become a true decoration of the garden and home, and it also has beneficial properties.

Flower features

The plant was brought to Europe from the Far East, where it was treated with special respect. Chrysanthemum almost immediately became a real decoration of the autumn garden.

It's herbaceous ornamental plant up to 1.5 meters high, which can grow both outdoors and at home in a pot. The rhizome is thickened, sometimes completely ligneous, often branched, releasing shoots underground. Inflorescences can be small or large in various shades. The aroma of chrysanthemum is rich, specific, wormwood, but some varieties have a subtle delicate and spicy smell. Reproduction is carried out by seeds or cuttings.

There are many different forms and types of chrysanthemums. This plant often becomes a collectible item for many gardeners.

Classification

According to the system developed by the scientists of the Imperial Park, in Japan, chrysanthemums are primarily divided into those growing in the wild and cultivated. Cultivars are divided into decorative and edible. Decorative ones are divided by flowering time into:

autumn;
winter;
summer.

Autumn chrysanthemums are the largest group of plants in terms of numbers, which are mainly grown in the country. It includes small-flowered, medium-flowered and large-flowered species... The diameter of small-flowered Japanese chrysanthemums does not exceed 9 cm. Terry - miniature plants with a basket diameter of up to 3 cm, with a skeleton inflorescence, which in their shape resembles a fish tail. According to the number of rows of reed corollas, they are eight-layer.

Medium-flowered chrysanthemums include plants with a diameter of 9-18 cm. They consist of reed flowers with flat or tubular corollas. This category also includes flowers for special purposes, such as those for religious purposes.

TO large-flowered chrysanthemums in Japan, varieties are classified with inflorescences more than 18 cm in diameter with flat or tubular corollas. Depending on the diameter of the corolla tubule, they are divided into thin-tubular, medium-tubular, and thick-tubular.

How to choose the right seedlings?

Golden Japanese chrysanthemums, the photo of which allows you to appreciate their beauty and peculiarity of the flower, look great on garden flower bed, at home on the windowsill, in winter gardens and bouquets. In addition, they can be used for culinary purposes, since the young inflorescences are quite edible.

Now seedlings different varieties chrysanthemums are on sale almost all year round... In Russian latitudes, perennial Japanese chrysanthemums, which are frost-resistant, have gained particular popularity.

To grow strong and healthy plant, you need to choose the right seedlings. When buying them, you need to pay attention not only to general form but also on the quality and quantity of buds. They should begin to open and show the tips of the petals. Only in this case, after planting in the soil, the chrysanthemum will definitely bloom. If the plant was purchased with green buds, the flowers may not open.

Growing from seeds

Recently, golden Japanese chrysanthemums have gained particular popularity. They bloom profusely, are decorative and very beautiful. There is absolutely no difficulty in growing them from seed. Sowing is carried out directly to the flower bed or by growing seedlings.

Seeds are sown on the flower bed from mid-May. This method is suitable for almost all types of annual chrysanthemums. For this you need:

dig holes, the distance between which is 35 cm;
water;
put 2 pieces of seeds;
sprinkle with earth and cover with foil to keep warm.

When the very first shoots appear, you need to remove the film, and after 7 days fertilize. When the plants are about 7-12 cm tall, thin them out.

You can plant flowers, having previously grown seedling material. In this case, chrysanthemums begin to bloom earlier. Seeds are sown in late February or early March. For this you need:

pour drainage into shallow boxes;
cover with soil mixture;
moisturize a little;
evenly distribute the seeds;
sprinkle with earth on top, in a layer up to 1 cm;
Drizzle a little with water, cover with glass or foil.

Place the container with seeds in a place where the temperature is at least 24 degrees. Boxes with seedlings need to be ventilated periodically. After 10-14 days, remove the film and place the containers in a bright place. After the first 4-6 leaves appear, thin out the plants. In May, after the first frosts have passed, plant them in flower beds.

Where and how to plant?

For a plant to be strong and strong, you need to know how to grow Japanese chrysanthemums. The flower requires a sunny spot and a well-drained neutral or slightly acidic soil. At insufficient lighting shoots are strongly elongated and thinner, and flowering is belated.

Chrysanthemums love well-fertilized soil. On such a soil, they bloom very luxuriantly. If the soil in the garden is not fertile enough, then before planting cuttings you need to make:

rotted manure;
peat;
compost;
complex mineral fertilizer.

It is better to plant chrysanthemum cuttings not in holes, but in a trench at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other. It depends on the size of the plant and the main characteristics of the variety. After planting, you need to water the soil in the trench with a solution of "Kornevin" (1 g of the product per 1 liter of water). This contributes to the formation of a more powerful root system. As a result, a beautiful and strong plant will develop from a young twig.

From above, the seedlings need to be covered lightweight material... It will create the most favorable microclimate. The film will help protect the plant from direct sunlight and will warm it during a cold snap.

Features of flower care

Growing a Japanese chrysanthemum is not a hassle as it is very easy to care for the flower. Since chrysanthemums are planted in the spring, you need to shade them a little from the scorching sun. For this you need to use non-woven fabric... It is positioned so that the fabric does not touch the leaves.

Chrysanthemum should be watered often, as it is hygrophilous. For watering better fit settled or rainwater... If this is not possible, then in the usual tap water you need to add a little ammonia to make it softer.

If chrysanthemum bushes grow in partial shade, then you may need to adjust the shape of the plant. Immediately after planting, the top of the sprouts is pinched, and after 3 weeks the procedure is repeated.

Top dressing

In the year of planting, Japanese white chrysanthemums are not fertilized. In the future, it is recommended to apply fertilizers 2 times per season, namely, at the initial stage of the growing season and when laying the buds.

Chrysanthemum loves organic and mineral complex fertilizers. During the flowering period, phosphorus-potassium supplements are required. Watering chrysanthemums with fertilizer is necessary only at the root, since if they get on the leaves, they will cause a burn.

It is very good to use rotted mullein or chicken droppings for feeding, which must first be diluted with water. Before fertilizing, the soil needs to be slightly moistened. You can use ready-made granular fertilizers based chicken droppings or manure.

Diseases and pests

Golden Japanese chrysanthemums suffer from disease. This is mainly due to improper fit and care. This may be insufficient watering, an incorrectly selected area and errors in soil preparation. If the chrysanthemum flowers have become smaller, and the leaves have begun to wither, then you need to transplant it to another place.

For a plant especially dangerous pests is aphid and spider mite. To destroy aphids, the bushes need to be washed with soapy water, repeating the treatment every 7-10 days. Treatment of the plant with a solution of "Pyrethrum" helps well. In the fight against aphids and spider mite infusion of garlic has proven itself well.

Chrysanthemum itself is amazing plant, since it can act as an insecticide. It helps in the fight against the bear, since the flowers and leaves contain a special essential oil with a specific smell.

Plant propagation

The best way to reproduce chrysanthemums is to divide the rhizome, as this will preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant. After a few years, it has rather dense shoots and slows down a little in development, which means it loses its decorative qualities. This means that it is time to renew the flower.

The most the best time for this - spring, when the shrub is ready for planting. To do this, divide the plant into several equal parts. It is imperative to sprinkle the cut site with ash so that the chrysanthemum does not become infected. If you need to get several shoots, then cuttings are ideal for this.

Before the plant starts to bloom, you need to cut the dense branches and put them in water or wet sand. In a few days, these cuttings will take root and can be transplanted into fertile soil.

Preparation for wintering

It is important not only to know how to grow chrysanthemums, but also how to preserve them until spring. Bushes need to be dug up annually for the winter and planted in soil mixed with sand, sawdust and peat. This will allow you to better retain moisture. After that, you need to take the plant out to a cool place.

In warm regions, you can leave chrysanthemums in the flower beds for the winter. To do this, before the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to cut the stems of flowers to 10-15 cm and sprinkle their roots with a thick layer of organic mulch.

Growing at home

After looking at a photo of a bouquet of golden Japanese chrysanthemums, you can say for sure that these are just excellent flowers that can become a decoration of your home. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, they can be grown on windows. Caring for them is quite simple and for this you need to remember that chrysanthemums:

light-loving;
love fresh air;
prefer coolness;
hygrophilous;
love spraying;
require regular feeding.

It is imperative to remove faded flowers in a timely manner so that the plant does not lose its decorative qualities. Young plant need to be transplanted once a year, and an adult - 2 times a year.

By observing all these simple rules for growing chrysanthemums, you can get a healthy and strong plant with lush flowering.

In Japan, chrysanthemum is the national flower, a symbol of imperial power, honor, courage, nobility, happiness and wisdom. The image of a chrysanthemum adorns the national flag of Japan, heraldic imperial papers, postage stamps, coins. The highest award of Japan - the Order of the Chrysanthemum is awarded - only to persons of imperial and royal blood, heroes and heads of foreign states and is made of gold has 2 degrees: on a chain and on a Big ribbon

Even Japan owes its origin to the chrysanthemum. According to legend, in ancient times, China was ruled by a cruel emperor. Once he heard a rumor that a magic flower - chrysanthemum - was growing on the island across the sea. From the juice of this flower, you can prepare an elixir of longevity. But only a person with a pure heart and good intentions can pick a flower. The emperor and his courtiers had black and evil hearts, and instead of himself the emperor sent three hundred young boys and girls to the island. But none of them returned to the emperor: fascinated by the beauty of the island, they founded a new state - Japan.

Chrysanthemum in Japan is not just loved - but worshiped. The image of a chrysanthemum with 16 petals is sacred, only members of the imperial court have the right to wear clothes with such a pattern, and the emperor is called "the master of the chrysanthemum throne."

In 1888, the “Order of the Chrysanthemum” was created, which during the entire period of its existence was awarded only three people.

In 1910, the chrysanthemum was declared the national flower of Japan.
Japan does not have an official coat of arms, but the cover of the Japanese passport is decorated with a chrysanthemum.

Chrysanthemums are also depicted on Japanese coins.

And there is also a specially bred vegetable chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Its leaves are similar to carrots - carved, delicate, light green. And the flowers are like chamomile - with white or yellow petals.

Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves are great food. They have been used as food for health promotion for centuries and not only in Japan. It is known that chrysanthemum nourishes not only the body, but also the soul. These flowers "resist the breath of autumn and the gray of winter", they help a person to survive a harsh time, to store and retain vitality.

Young leaves and flowers of an annual vegetable chrysanthemum are used for food, which contain a lot nutrients... Young leaves are especially useful in early spring or late autumn... They eat chrysanthemum flowers and leaves little by little: this is quite enough to strengthen health. The edible leaves of the vegetable chrysanthemum are called shungiku in Japan. They have an interesting pleasant smell and piquant taste that decorates any dish (they are boiled for several minutes, slightly salted, wrung out, finely chopped and served with seasoning). Vegetable chrysanthemum leaves can be prepared delicious salad, seasoning for meat or fish, for mashed potatoes and sandwiches. They add a savory flavor to scrambled eggs and egg dishes. They can be dried, ground, and used dried as a healthy and enjoyable seasoning for food. Petals - have a wonderful smell and are mixed with tea, liqueurs and wines are infused on them. For a long time, the Japanese have a custom to drink an infusion of flowers, stems and leaves of chrysanthemums with rice water.
The soul rests and heals only by admiring the chrysanthemum flowers.
Chrysanthemums are a symbol of joy and laughter. It is believed that chrysanthemums bring happiness, success, good luck, have the ability to ward off illness and misfortune. By ancient tradition, a chrysanthemum petal is still placed on the bottom of a bowl of sake in order to live a long and healthy life... The Japanese believe that dew collected from chrysanthemum prolongs life. With a cloth dipped in the dew of chrysanthemums, the Japanese beauties wiped their faces to preserve their youth and beauty.

Chrysanthemum for the Japanese not only magic flower longevity, but also a messenger of autumn.

In the Japanese city of Nihonmatsu, an exhibition of ningyo dolls made from live chrysanthemums is held in the fall.

Several people traditionally work on the creation of one doll.
The image of the future doll is created by the artist-designer - Dogu-cho. The basis of the doll body ( wooden frame), the head, hands and feet of the doll are made by the puppeteer - Ningyo-shi. Further, the body of the doll is formed with bamboo dies and rice grass "He Who Covers the Body with Chrysanthemums" or Kiku-shi.
The flowers for the dolls themselves are not cut, but dug up from the roots and carefully wrapped in moist moss. Inside, the doll is filled with roots and stems of plants, and on top it is dressed in hundreds of beautiful flowers.

長月 (nagatsuki) The 9th lunar month in Japan is called - month of chrysanthemums.
菊 (kiku) is a Japanese hieroglyph for chrysanthemum. And they also have the sun. Therefore, we can say that in Japan there are two suns - one in the sky, the other on earth).

On September 23 or 24, the Earth occupies a strictly vertical position relative to the Sun, which in turn crosses the Celestial Equator and passes from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern. At the same time in these parts of the world there is an astronomical Autumn (in the north) and an astronomical Spring (in the south). On this day, the duration of the day and night throughout the Earth is the same and is equal to 12 hours.
秋分の日 (shubun no hi) - Autumnal equinox is an official holiday in Japan, which has been celebrated since 1878.

Chrysanthemum is the official symbol of Japan.

One Japanese legend tells how the sky god Izanagi decided to swim in a river on Earth. His jewelry, falling to the ground, turned into flowers: one bracelet into an iris, the other into a lotus flower, and a necklace into a golden chrysanthemum.

Chrysanthemum in Japan is not just loved - but worshiped.
On the 9th of the 9th lunar month, the ancient Chrysanthemum Festival is celebrated in Japan. People rode on "chrysanthemum boats", drank "chrysanthemum wine", admired the chrysanthemums blooming in the gardens, composed songs and poems in their honor. "Chrysanthemum poems" were written on long paper strips in ink with special diligence and attached to trees, so that the wind spread the glory of the beauty of chrysanthemums around the world ... "

Chrysanthemum in Japan is a symbol of the sun and a favorite flower. Solar Goddess Amaterasu, from which the Japanese emperors descended.

Chrysanthemum yellow or orange with 16 petals - the imperious symbol of the imperial house in Japan since the 12th century.

It was then that it was engraved on the blade of the emperor's precious saber, a little later on the imperial seal and robes. In 1888, the “Order of the Chrysanthemum” was created, which during the entire period of its existence was awarded only three people. In 1910, the chrysanthemum was declared the national flower of Japan.
Japan does not have an official coat of arms, but the cover of the Japanese passport is decorated with a chrysanthemum.
Chrysanthemums are also depicted on Japanese coins.

There is a specially bred vegetable chrysanthemum- Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Its leaves are similar to carrot leaves - carved, delicate, light green. And the flowers are like chamomile - with white or yellow petals.

Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves are great food.
They have been used as food for health promotion for centuries and not only in Japan. It is known that chrysanthemum nourishes not only the body, but also the soul. These flowers resist the breath of autumn and the gray of winter, they help a person to survive a harsh time, to store and retain vitality.
Young leaves and flowers of the vegetable annual chrysanthemum are used for food, which contain many useful substances. Young leaves in early spring or late autumn are especially useful. They eat chrysanthemum flowers and leaves little by little: this is quite enough to strengthen health.

The edible leaves of the vegetable chrysanthemum are called shungiku in Japan. They have an interesting pleasant smell and piquant taste that decorates any dish (they are boiled for several minutes, squeezed, finely chopped and served with seasoning). From fresh leaves of vegetable chrysanthemum pre-boiled in salted water, you can prepare a delicious salad, seasoning for meat or fish, for mashed potatoes and sandwiches. They add a savory flavor to scrambled eggs and egg dishes. They can be dried, ground, and used dried as a healthy and enjoyable seasoning for food.

Petals - have a wonderful smell and are mixed with tea, liqueurs and wines are infused on them. For a long time, the Japanese have a custom to drink an infusion of flowers, stems and leaves of chrysanthemums with rice water.

The soul rests and heals only by admiring the flowers... Chrysanthemums are a symbol of joy and laughter. It is believed that chrysanthemums bring happiness, success, good luck, have the ability to ward off illness and misfortune. According to ancient tradition, a chrysanthemum petal is still placed on the bottom of a bowl of sake in order to live a long and healthy life.
The Japanese believe that dew collected from chrysanthemum prolongs life. With a cloth dipped in the dew of chrysanthemums, the Japanese beauties wiped their faces to preserve their youth and beauty.

Chrysanthemum for the Japanese is not only a magical flower of longevity and a messenger of autumn. In autumn, it's nice to look out the window, see crimson maples and eat a cup of soup with maple leaves of carrots floating in (* cutting carrots in the form of maple leaves, the cook reminds of autumn).

In the Japanese city of Nihonmatsu, an exhibition of ningyo dolls made from live chrysanthemums is held in the fall.

Several people traditionally work on the creation of one doll.
The image of the future doll is created by the artist-designer - Dogu-cho. The basis of the doll's body (wooden frame), the head, arms and feet of the doll is made by the puppeteer - Ningyo-shi. Further, the body of the doll is formed with bamboo dies and rice grass "He Who Covers the Body with Chrysanthemums" or Kiku-shi.
The flowers for the dolls themselves are not cut, but dug up from the roots and carefully wrapped in moist moss. Inside, the doll is filled with roots and stems of plants, and on top it is dressed in hundreds of beautiful flowers.

Chrysanthemums. Flowers