Key Facts
• September 9 marks the Chōyō Festival, also called the Chrysanthemum Festival.
• It is one of five traditional seasonal festivals in Japan, known as ‘sekku.’
• Other festivals include January 7 (Nanakusa), March 3 (Hinamatsuri), May 5 (Children’s Day), and July 7 (Tanabata).
• The date 9/9 is considered especially auspicious due to the repetition of the largest odd number.
• Celebrations include drinking chrysanthemum sake, eating autumn foods like chestnut rice, and displaying hina dolls.
• The ‘Later Hina’ custom involves re-displaying dolls from Hinamatsuri to wish for longevity.
• Chrysanthemum sake is made by floating flower petals on Japanese sake for a refined touch.
• The festival incorporates wisdom, such as airing hina dolls to preserve them.
• Originating from ancient Chinese beliefs, odd-numbered dates were seen as lucky.
• The festival is also referred to as the ‘Adult Hinamatsuri.’
Summary
The Chōyō Festival, celebrated on September 9, is one of Japan’s five traditional seasonal festivals. Known as the Chrysanthemum Festival, it is considered particularly auspicious due to the repetition of the largest odd number. Customs include drinking chrysanthemum sake, enjoying autumn delicacies like chestnut rice, and re-displaying hina dolls to wish for longevity. This practice, called ‘Later Hina,’ also helps preserve the dolls. Rooted in ancient Chinese traditions, the festival emphasizes the significance of odd-numbered dates as lucky. Often referred to as the ‘Adult Hinamatsuri,’ the Chōyō Festival offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and seasonal celebration.
