企画展示

Outline of Exhibition

The chrysanthemum is a cultivated plant that represents Japan. Although it is not native to Japan, the popularity of chrysanthemum banquets at the imperial palace during the Heian period suggests that it was brought to Japan from China along with Ritsuryo culture. The development of a unique Japanese aesthetic in the Heian and Kamakura periods saw the creation of different forms of the flower, such as the Saga-giku with petals like a brush tip and the Ise-giku with its drooping petals. Among the ruling class, the chrysanthemum featured as a symbol of immortality at banquets and in works of art, and thus came to represent a privileged status. The chrysanthemum was popularized in the Early Modern period when tiered displays of a variety of different species and chrysanthemum doll shows became fashionable. The Higo-giku and the Edo-giku played a major role in the huge popularity of the chrysanthemum at this time.

Since 1999, the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life has collected and displayed Saga-giku, Ise-giku, Higo-giku and Edo-giku, which are also called koten-giku, or antique chrysanthemum. Last year we began cultivating chrysanthemums by following the Edo-giku method of cultivation. This exhibition features around 100 strains of a variety of antique chrysanthemums. Photo display panels also present methods of exhibiting the antique chrysanthemum. The exhibition will also show changes to the Edo-giku that have taken place over the years.

Exhibition Lineup

Potted chrysanthemum bred and grown at the Botanical Garden of Everyday Life are on display around the Azuma-ya, and in the Yoshizu exhibition hall and greenhouses.

* Antique chrysanthemums (10 strains of Saga-giku, 10 strains of Ise-giku, 30 strains of Higo-giku and 33 strains of Edo-giku) are planted in two sizes of chrysanthemum pots (No.7 and No.9).
* Choji-giku are also displayed in planters.

Note: Please note that items in the exhibition are subject to change.