Kiku | 菊 | Chrysanthemums
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Spiky chrysanthemums on a black tomesode.
Chrysanthemums (known as kiku/菊) have long been the symbol of the imperial family of Japan, and it’s used as the crest on many kimonos as a general symbol that any person can use. (As kimonos may be gifted between families or simply used by rental companies, this has been a way for anyone to use a crested kimono without indicating they’re part of a specific family.)
Orange and white chrysanthemums on a green background.
When chrysanthemums were first introduced to Japan, the royal family was struck by its beauty and ensured the flower would flourish throughout the land the family controlled, eventually becoming a mainstay in much of modern Japanese floral designs and kimonos.
Pink embroidered chrysanthemums inside an abstract tortoise shell pattern.
The main representation of chrysanthemums on kimonos is the flat, 2D style, but chrysanthemums appear so often that you’ll see them in every stage of blooming and in many colors, painting styles, and abstractions.
Chrysanthemums in various stages of blooming, hand painted on a houmongi.
During the Heian period (794-1185), September 9th became known as the Chrysanthemum Festival, which many still celebrate to this day. At this festival, many would pray to chrysanthemums to ward off evil spirits.
Chrysanthemums created using metallic embroidery.
Chrysanthemums are seen as being a symbol of long life, and legend has it that drinking the dew drops off chrysanthemums could grant you immortality. So, adorning a kimono with chrysanthemums provokes images of living a long, healthy life.
Chrysanthemums as a part of the paulownia pattern.
