One of the most largest and famous events in Japan is the Kiku Ningyo Exhibition (Chrysanthemum Puppet Exhibition) that has been taking place annually since 1955 in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. During the festival large numbers of colorful chrysanthemums are used decorate dolls and puppets and to create other fanciful shapes and displays.  The event will be held from Octboer 1 – November 23, 2008 at Kasumiga-jo Park.

The Kiku Matsuri  was firt held in 1908 and is Japan’s oldest chrysanthemum festival.  The event will be held at Kasama Inari Shrine in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture from October 18 -November 24, 2008.  Potted chrysanthemums and chrysanthemum dolls are displayed in the shrine precincts from 8:30AM to 4PM daily during the festival period – admission is ¥800.  In addition the the lovely flower exhibits, a yabusame (archery on horseback) exhibit will be held on November 3rd near the shrine at 10AM and 2PM.

In Aichi Prefecture you can take in the Chrysanthemum Dolls of Nagoya Castle from mid-October to late-November.  In addition to the lovely dolls wearing colorful chrysanthemum clothes you will also find hundreds of chrysanthemum bonsai (potted trees) on display.

Chrysanthemum Exhibitions in Tokyo (admission is free unless otherwise stated):

Sensoji Temple – From October 15- November 15

Yasukuni Shrine, From October 16- November 5

Kameido Tenjin Shrine, From October 19 to November 23

Meiji Jingu Shrine From October 25 to November 23

Hibiya Park, From November 1 – 23,  10AM-4 PM daily (10AM – 12 noon on the 23rd)

Yushima Tenjin Shrine, From November 1 – 23 see life-size dolls made of chrysanthemum flowers and participate in the Yushima Tenjin Kiku Matsuri (festival).

Jindai Botanical Garden (PDF) will hold the Jindai Shokubutsu Koen Kikka-ten from October 28th to November 9. Admission is ¥500.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden will hold the Shinjuku Gyoen Kikka-ten from November 1-15. Admission is ¥200.

Image Credit: Flickr, 菊人形 (chrysanthemum-shaped puppet)

Many literary and poetic references to Japan include references to the Chrysanthemum and the bloom has been featured in the title of many book on the country and it’s culture,  the most famous being “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword” by Ruth Benedict, a World War II–era study of the contracts between the culture of Japan and that of the United States.    Others include “The Chrysanthemum and the Bat: Baseball Samurai Style” by Robert Whiting and “Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne: The Tragic True Story of Japan’s Crown Princess” by Ben Hills.

The flower has been prominently featured in works by famous artists including Itō Jakachū who painted “Chrysanthemums by a stream with rocks” around 1760 and in waka style poetry, as in this example:

In Japanese (Source: Everything2) :

Oto ni nomi
kiku no shiratsuyu
yoru wa okite
hiru wa omohi ni aezu kenubeshi

Literal Translation:

Chrysanthemum’s white dew, settling in at night
and in the day, from the sun
will disappear

Alternate translation:

Of you, from other people only, I hear
I stay up all night, and in the day, my longing becomes
unbearable, and I must surely die

The Chrysanthemum has a prominent place in Japanese culture and it’s residents celebrate the bloom each fall with Kiku festivals and exhibitions throughout Japan from late October through November.  To find and event near you check the listing of Chrysanthemum Festivals and Exhibits – Fall 2008.

Image Credit:  Wikimedia, Japanese Order01, Chrysanthemums by a stream with rocks