Double Ninth Festival　重陽の節句　ちょうようのせっく

Aim for Chrysanthemum Exhaustion

The Luckiest Day of the Year!!!

A Very Long Time Ago

The Double Ninth Festival!

The Double Ninth Festival in Japan falls on September 9th, about one month earlier than it originally did under the ancient Chinese calendar. Months and days combinations are very auspicious in Japan if they are odd numbers. For example March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, a time to pray for the growth of girls. May 5th is Children’s Day, which used to be to pray for the health of boys. And July 7th is Tanabata, a mid summer festival. September 9th was the most lucky day in Japan because it was the largest single even digit combination day possible on the calendar. However, today it has not kept up in popularity with the other child centered holidays.

What to Do On the Double 9th Festival…

Chrysanthemums were associated with longevity and good health. On this day you should offer prayers for your (and others) good health and long life. Also, you should decorate heavily using chrysanthemum flowers. It is customary to drink chrysanthemum sake on this day. In ancient times it meant drinking from pickled chrysanthemums. However, today just putting a chrysanthemum flower in your Japanese rice wine is considered good enough.

Chrysanthemum Exhaustion

Put chrysanthemums into just about everything. Eat chrysanthemums. Drink Chrysanthemums. Smell chrysanthemums. Of course see chrysanthemums as decorations just about everywhere you can put them. And, according to ancient Chinese sources, wrap chrysanthemum flowers in silk cotton over night to collect the morning dew, then use it to bathe (lightly) or at least freshen up. Sake infused with chrysanthemum flowers is also drunk on this day so as to pass the life extending powers of the flower to your alcohol, and then to yourself after drinking it. Good times!