Chrysanthemum. Flower symbol of Japan

These flowers are not just loved, they are loved by everyone - from small to large, from the emperor to the last poor. Even in the Heian era, when chrysanthemums were blooming, ordinary people decorated their houses with them, and nobles rode on "chrysanthemum" boats. Poems were written about these flowers, they sang songs, and poetry contests were organized 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. All in Japan, there are about five thousand species of this plant. These flowers have a long flowering period. Because of this, in Japanese culture, the chrysanthemum represents happiness and longevity, and the dew collected from the chrysanthemum prolongs life by giving.

For several centuries, ordinary amateurs and professional gardeners have done everything possible to perfect the last flower of the year, to diversify its color, which is already a bizarre and sophisticated shape.

Large and small, with pointed or rounded petals on the stems or on bushes, chrysanthemums still amaze the imagination. There are flowers the size of a plate - one flower on one stalk. There are flowers with folded inward petals resembling large snow balls.

In some chrysanthemums, the petals hang in the form of hundreds of long threads, while in others, the flowers look like sunflower. There are bushes resembling a loose peacock tail, because they shine on flowers of different colors and sizes.

Chrysanthemum time

September 9, all of Japan celebrates the feast of chrysanthemums. The history of this holiday began in 1186. Initially, these were celebrations associated with longevity. Since the chrysanthemum is a symbol of longevity, later the holiday will receive a middle name - the holiday 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 nobles, poets, and musicians gathered. Everyone should have composed a poem in honor of the celebration.

During the Chrysanthemum Festival, flower beds with chrysanthemums bloom throughout the country, flower exhibitions are held, and puppet festivals are held. Dolls, both individual characters and entire pictures on historical, religious or mythological subjects, are created from living plants, for which a special frame is made of bamboo, and the face, hands and feet are made of 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 the leaves and flowers of various varieties of chrysanthemums. Selecting different shapes and shades of chrysanthemums, they make up purple mantle of the courtiers - of lilac petals, green hakama pants - of leaves, yellow hats - of yellow varieties.

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

The Japanese holiday of Chrysanthemums is an event no less spectacular than a carnival in

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

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

(Nikolai Harito, Chrysanthemums, 1910)

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

From Korean autumn with love.

Flowers, like people, in the autumn in the northern latitudes they are sad and hiding in greenhouses, and in the south they rejoice at the end of the summer heat. In South Korea, I realized that chrysanthemum is not sadness, but the sun. It is a pity that at that time I did not take myself seriously, filmed with the usual “soap box” in automatic mode, without bothering myself with the “macro”. So, here you will not see individual pistils and stamens, but you will see chrysanthemums in bulk, in a stream, in a round dance, as an ordinary passer-by rushing to the metro sees them.

Seoul, Gangnam-gu (Cor. 강남구 New Romanization Gangnam-gu).

Here, next to COEX, on a sunny evening of October 27, 2006, I took my first photos of chrysanthemums on the run. True, in this super-modern area of \u200b\u200bSeoul, 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 think about the path traveled and the meaning of life.

“Do not be afraid to bend a little, straighten up straight” (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 to look, if from the East, then the sun first rises over Japan - the Land of the Rising Sun and illuminates Korea - the Country 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 the flowers of small chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemum Nanking, one of the types used in traditional Chinese medicine

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

What is a chrysanthemum? Chinese, Korean, Japanese? A delicate flower does not mean citizenship.

Later I learned that this large yellow chrysanthemum with petals arranged asymmetrically and bent upwards is called "King" Pleasure "- Class 1 - Chrysanthemum - Irregular Incurve -" First-Class Royal Pleasure with petals arbitrarily bent inward. "

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

Imperial seal, 50 yen coin, commemorative coin of 10,000 yen on the 20th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the ruling emperor and the Highest Order of Chrysanthemum, established by Emperor Maji in 1876.

Unfortunately, I do not know exactly what kind of yellow chrysanthemum served as the original for its schematic representation on print, coins and order.

These little yellow chrysanthemums can also serve as a model for the Imperial Seal.

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

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

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

JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM INCURVED TYPE - Japanese chrysanthemum with petals bent inward

JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM RECURVED TYPE - Japanese chrysanthemum with petals bent outwards

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

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 the sanctuary where the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken “live”. During his lifetime, the Emperor bore the name Mutsuhito, and reigned 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 to the number of leading world powers, as during the Meiji era.

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

Sunday afternoon, at the entrance to Meiji Jingu. Chrysanthemums on 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 a shop window of an expensive store.

Living Japanese chrysanthemums adorn the altar with the statue of the goddess Kannon (Guan (shi) yin), found in 597 in the sea 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 back in 628 at the site of the discovery of Kannon statue.

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

Chrysanthemums at the altar of the "golden hall" Gakhvangchen in Hwaomsa Monastery, belonging to the Order of Korean Buddhism Choge ..

Gakhwangjeon (각황전, Gakhwangjeon) is considered the largest of the "golden halls" of South Korea.And the name of Hwaoms (화엄사, Hwaeomsa, sansr Avatamsaka, Jap. 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. Nowadays, the restored Hwaoms Temple has become one of the most famous temples of Korean Buddhism ..

And in November, large Japanese chrysanthemums with petals bent inward bloom in November - 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 remained largely shamanistic.

South Korea, Suwon. Opening of the annual cultural festival at Hwason Castle and reproduction of the royal procession of Jeongjo.

Hwason (화성) in the translation meaning “Blossoming Fortress” was included in the UNESO registry, was erected in 1794-1796 by order of Jeonjo, the 22nd van (king) of the Korean state of Joseon, in order to place the remains of Jeonjo’s father hunger on the orders of his grandfather as a result of palace intrigues.

I must say that since 1905, Korea was under the protectorate of Japan, then from 1910 to 1945 it was completely annexed. Over the years, Japan has carried out with a hard hand the technical, economic and cultural modernization of Korea. At the same time, free medical care and education were available to Koreans. The Japanese, and now, before building their new plant in a foreign country, they first open a university there, where they prepare well-trained technical personnel for themselves. As a result, for 30 years, Koreans have been assimilated, and still work and study almost like the Japanese. But, having achieved independence after the surrender of Japan in 1945, the Koreans first began to uproot everything Japanese, even cut down sakura trees. Trees and flowers suffer from politics, as do people.

In XXI, South Korea began to forget the old grievances and also organize a 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 admitted to it. And for this we allocated 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 flower beds of Japanese Chrysanthemums.

In the center of modern Seoul JAPANESE CHYSANTEMUM INCURVED TYPE - Japanese chrysanthemum with petals bent inward. Beauty is above politics.

But for half a century of independence, their Korean chrysanthemums appeared in South Korea. Take a look at some of them.

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

Round dance of Korean chrysanthemums.

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

And here, silver Japanese chrysanthemum is spinning 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 get a lot of pleasure

The thrilling sea of \u200b\u200bchrysanthemums.

And next to you is waiting for the autumn decoration of rural courtyards.

Friendly family of small chrysanthemums

Korean autumn is unthinkable without yellow butterflies.

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

And even higher is a map of South Korea made of yellow chrysanthemums, cutting off in sulfur along the 38th parallel. In Korea, the yellow color is the color of the Emperor of the Joseon era, when Korea was united and indivisible, it lasted 518 years and ended with the annexation of Korea of \u200b\u200bJapan in 1910.

Chrysanthemum Card 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, Japanese chrysanthemum has been very popular among professional landscapers and florists. These plants bloom quite early, they are unpretentious in care, and also help to give the garden an original, more attractive look.

Chrysanthemum has a rounded regular shape of the 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 flower culture

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

Japanese chrysanthemums, the photo of which shows all their features, brightness and attractiveness, are very popular not only in the Land of the Rising Sun, but also throughout Europe. In Japan, these flowers appeared in the IV century and quickly spread there. They began to call them "kiku," which means "sun." The country began to cultivate new varieties of chrysanthemums of different shapes and colors.

In the X 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 chrysanthemum festival in Japan became an annual event.

Writers, craftsmen and poets paid a lot of attention to the plant and assigned a special place in the work. Until today, numerous literary works, scientific works, and two-hokku couplets have been preserved. A special place is occupied by chrysanthemum in Japanese painting, so you can see the flower on various engravings. This indicates the importance of the plant for the culture of Japan.

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

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

The meaning of chrysanthemum

Japanese chrysanthemums are considered a symbol of the sun. This flower denotes the rapid course of life, its value and fragility. In addition, it is considered a symbol of long life.

A 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, the chrysanthemum will become a true decoration of the garden and the house, and it also has useful properties.

Flower features

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

This is a grassy ornamental plant up to 1.5 meters high, which can grow both on the street and at home in a pot. Rhizome thickened, sometimes completely ligneous, often branched, releasing shoots underground. Inflorescences can be small or large in various shades. The aroma of the chrysanthemum is saturated, specific, wormwood, but some varieties are distinguished by 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 of many gardeners.

Classification

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

autumn
winter
summer.

Autumn chrysanthemums are the largest group of plants, which is 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 plants are miniature plants with a basket diameter of up to 3 cm, with spike-like inflorescences, which in their shape resemble a fish tail. By the number of rows of reed corollas they are eight-layer.

Plants with a diameter of 9-18 cm are considered to be middle-flowered chrysanthemums. They consist of reed flowers with flat or tubular corollas. This category also includes flowers for special purposes, for example, intended for religious purposes.

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

How to choose seedlings?

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

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

To grow a strong and healthy plant, you need to choose the right seedlings. When buying them, you need to pay attention not only to the general appearance, but also to the quality and quantity of buds. They should start to open and show the tips of the petals. Only in this case, after landing in the soil, the chrysanthemum will certainly bloom. If the plant was bought with green buds, then the flowers may not open.

Seed cultivation

Recently, golden Japanese chrysanthemums have become especially popular. They bloom profusely, decorative and very beautiful. There is absolutely no difficulty in growing them from seeds. Sowing is carried out directly on a flower bed or by growing seedlings.

On the flowerbed, seeds have been sown since mid-May. This method is suitable for almost all types of annual chrysanthemums. To do this, you need:

dig holes with a distance of 35 cm;
to water;
put 2 pieces of seeds;
sprinkle with earth and cover with a film to preserve heat.

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

You can plant flowers, after growing material for seedlings. In this case, chrysanthemums begin to bloom earlier. Seeds are sown in late February or early March. To do this, you need:

pour drainage into shallow drawers;
to fill with soil;
moisten a little;
evenly distribute the seeds;
sprinkle on top with earth, a layer of up to 1 cm;
pour a little water, cover with glass or film.

Put the container with seeds in a place where the temperature is at least 24 degrees. Boxes with seedlings should be periodically ventilated. After 10-14 days, remove the film and put 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, put them on the 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, as well as drained neutral or slightly acidic soil. With insufficient lighting, the shoots stretch out and become thinner, and flowering is late.

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

rotten manure;
peat;
compost;
complex mineral fertilizer.

Chrysanthemum cuttings are best planted 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 pour the soil into 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 of this, a beautiful and strong plant will develop from a young branch.

Top seedlings need to be covered with light material. It will create the most favorable microclimate. The film will help protect the plant from direct sunlight and will warm during the cold snap.

Features of flower care

Growing Japanese chrysanthemum does not cause any trouble, as caring for a flower is very simple. Since chrysanthemums are planted in the spring, you need to shade them a bit from the scorching sun. To do this, use non-woven material. It is placed so that the fabric does not touch the leaves.

Watering a chrysanthemum is often necessary, as it is hygrophilous. For irrigation, it is better to use standing or rain water. If this is not possible, then a little ammonia should be added to ordinary tap water to make it softer.

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

Feeding

Japanese white chrysanthemums do not fertilize in the year of planting. In the future, fertilizing is recommended 2 times per season, namely, at the initial stage of the growing season and when laying buds.

Chrysanthemum loves organic and mineral complex fertilizers. During the flowering period, phosphorus-potassium top dressing is required. Watering chrysanthemums with fertilizer is necessary only under the root, since if they fall 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 applying fertilizer, the soil needs to be moistened a little. You can use ready-made granular fertilizers based on chicken manure or manure.

Diseases and Pests

Golden Japanese chrysanthemums suffer from diseases. This is mainly due to improper planting and care. This may be insufficient watering, improperly selected site and errors in soil preparation. If the chrysanthemum flowers have become smaller, and the leaves have begun to fade, then you need to transplant it to another place.

Particularly dangerous pests for a plant are aphids and spider mites. To kill aphids, shrubs should be washed with soapy water, repeating the treatment every 7-10 days. It helps to treat the plant with a solution of Pyrethrum. In the fight against aphids and spider mites, the infusion of garlic has proven itself well.

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

Plant propagation

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

The best time for this is spring, when the shrub is ready for planting. To do this, divide the plant into several equal parts. Sprinkle the place of cut immediately with ash so that chrysanthemum infection does not occur. If you need to get a few shoots, then cuttings are ideal for this.

Before the plant begins to bloom, you need to cut off dense branches and lower them into water or wet sand. After a few days, such cuttings will take root, and they can be transplanted into fertile soil.

Preparing for the winter

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

In warm regions, you can leave chrysanthemums in the flower beds for wintering. 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, we can say for sure that these are simply excellent flowers that can become a decoration of the house. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, they can be grown on the windows. Caring for them is quite simple and for this you need to remember that chrysanthemums:

photophilous;
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. A young plant needs to be replanted once a year, and an adult - 2 times a year.

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

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

Even its origin, Japan owes chrysanthemum. According to legend, in ancient times, the cruel emperor ruled China. Once he heard a rumor that beyond the sea, on the island, a magical flower grows - a chrysanthemum. From the juice of this flower, you can make 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 men and women to the island. But none of them returned to the emperor: charmed by the beauty of the island, they founded a new state - Japan.

In Japan, chrysanthemums are not just loved - they are idolized. The image of a 16-petal chrysanthemum 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 for all its existence has been awarded only three people.

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

Chrysanthemums are also depicted on Japanese coins.

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

Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves are great food. They have been used as food for health promotion for several 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 graying of winter", they help a person survive the harsh time, stock and hold vitality.

For food, young leaves and flowers of a vegetable annual chrysanthemum are used, which contain many useful substances. Young leaves are especially useful in early spring or late fall. They eat flowers and leaves of chrysanthemums little by little: this is quite enough to enhance health. The edible leaves of vegetable chrysanthemum in Japan are called shungiku. They have an interesting pleasant smell and piquant taste that decorates any dish (they are boiled for several minutes, slightly salted, squeezed, finely chopped and served with seasoning). From the leaves of vegetable chrysanthemum you can prepare a delicious salad, seasoning for meat or fish, for mashed potatoes and sandwiches. They add a spicy flavor to omelettes and egg dishes. They can be dried, ground and used in dried form, as a useful and pleasant seasoning for food. Petals - have a wonderful smell and are mixed with tea, they are infused with liquors and wines. Since ancient times among the Japanese, there is a custom to drink an infusion of flowers, stems and leaves of chrysanthemums with rice broth.
The soul rests and is healed, only admiring the colors of chrysanthemums.
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 an ancient tradition, today they place a chrysanthemum petal on the bottom of the bowl with sake in order to live a long and healthy life. The Japanese believe that dew collected from chrysanthemums prolongs life. With a cloth dampened in dew of chrysanthemums, Japanese beauties wiped their faces to preserve youth and beauty.

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

In the Japanese city of Nihonmatsu in autumn, an exhibition of Ningyo dolls from living chrysanthemums takes place.

Traditionally, several people work on creating one doll.
The image of the future doll is created by the artist-designer - Dogu-cho. The basis of the puppet body (wooden frame), the head, arms and legs of the doll is made by the puppeteer - Ningyo-shi. Further, the doll’s body is formed by bamboo dice and rice grass “The One Who Covers the Body with Chrysanthemums” or Kiku-shi.
The flowers for the dolls themselves are not cut, but they are dug up with the roots and carefully wrapped the roots in moist moss. Inside, the doll is filled with the roots and stems of plants, and from above it is dressed in hundreds of beautiful flowers.

長月 (nagatsuki) The 9th lunar month in Japan is called - month of chrysanthemums.
菊 (kiku) - this character in Japan denotes a chrysanthemum. And also to them - the sun. Therefore, we can say that in Japan there are two suns - one in the sky, the other on the 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, astronomical Autumn (in the north) and astronomical Spring (in the south) sets in in these parts of the world. On this day, the duration of day and night on the whole Earth is the same and equal to 12 hours.
秋分の日 (shubun no hee) - Autumn 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 the river on Earth. His jewels, falling to the ground, turned into flowers: one bracelet into an iris, another into a lotus flower, and a necklace into a golden chrysanthemum.

In Japan, chrysanthemums are not just loved - they are idolized.
On the 9th of the 9th lunar month in Japan, the ancient Chrysanthemum Festival is celebrated. 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 with ink with special care and stuck them on 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 of the Solar Goddess Amaterasu, from whom the Japanese emperors descended.

A yellow or orange chrysanthemum with 16 petals has been the dominant symbol of the imperial house in Japan since the 12th century.

It was then that she 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 for all its existence has been awarded only three people. In 1910, chrysanthemum was proclaimed the national flower of Japan.
Japan does not have an official coat of arms, but the cover of a Japanese passport is decorated with chrysanthemum.
Chrysanthemums are also depicted on Japanese coins.

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

Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves are great food.
They have been used as food for health promotion for several 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 graying of winter, they help a person survive the harsh time, stock and hold vitality.
For food, young leaves and flowers of a vegetable annual chrysanthemum are used, which contain many useful substances. Young leaves are especially useful in early spring or late fall. They eat flowers and leaves of chrysanthemums little by little: this is quite enough to enhance health.

The edible leaves of vegetable chrysanthemum in Japan are called shungiku. 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 freshly boiled fresh leaves of vegetable chrysanthemum boiled in salted water, you can prepare a delicious salad, seasoning for meat or fish, for mashed potatoes and sandwiches. They add a spicy flavor to omelettes and egg dishes. They can be dried, ground and used in dried form, as a useful and pleasant seasoning for food.

Petals - have a wonderful smell and are mixed with tea, they are infused with liquors and wines. Since ancient times among the Japanese, there is a custom to drink an infusion of flowers, stems and leaves of chrysanthemums with rice broth.

The soul rests and is treated, only 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 an ancient tradition, today they place a chrysanthemum petal at the bottom of the bowls with sake to live a long and healthy life
The Japanese believe that dew collected from chrysanthemums prolongs life. With a cloth dampened in dew of chrysanthemums, Japanese beauties wiped their faces to preserve youth and beauty.

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

In the Japanese city of Nihonmatsu in autumn, an exhibition of Ningyo dolls from living chrysanthemums takes place.

Chrysanthemums Flowers