The Chrysanthemum Festival- Kikunosekku

The Chrysanthemum Festival (The Choyo Festival), also known as the double ninth festival, is the ninth day of the ninth month according to the lunar calendar. September 9th is the Choyo no Sekku, one of the five seasonal festivals, and people drink chrysanthemum wine and eat chestnut rice to pray for good health and longevity.

When people used the lunar calendar, there were five days in the year called sekku. The word sekku means the special days that people held particularly important traditional events each year. These five feasts, called sekku, were the seventh day of the first month, the third day of the third month, the fifth day of the fifth month, the seventh day of the seventh month, and the ninth day of the ninth month.

The "Chōyō Festival" was introduced in China at the beginning of the Heian period. In ancient China, odd numbers were considered lucky "yang numbers," and even numbers were considered unlucky "yin numbers." The 9th of September, when the maximum number of yang numbers, "9," appeared twice, was called "Chōyō" and was designated as one of the festivals. The 9th of September in the lunar calendar corresponds to mid-October today when chrysanthemums bloom beautifully.

Have you ever had chrysanthemum sake before?

Double Ninth may have originated as a day to drive away danger, but like the Chinese New Year, over time, it became a day of celebration. In contemporary times, it is an occasion for hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation. Other activities include flying kites, making flower cakes, and welcoming married daughters back home to visit.

The Double Ninth Festival is a time to pray for good health. Even if you have not been familiar with it until now, why not try tasting chrysanthemum sake and chestnut rice this year to ward off evil spirits? Share some with your local community and spread the good vibes around by giving back to those closest to you. Don't forget to tag and @ us and show your holiday photos!