Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan, the 9th of September

The 9th of September is one of thefive festivals in Japan

It is the most important of the five festivals, but, strangely enough, it is less known than the other four festivals.

The five festivals are

• January 7th,
• March 3rd,
• May 5th,
• July 7th and
• September 9th

A deliberately forgotten festival must be a very useful day for the common people.

The 9th of September is an important milestone 

The Yin-Yang theory, which divided all things into "yang" or "yin” as follows:

• the positive and negative
• the male and female principles
• the sun and the moon
• light and shade

It believed that there are also "yang" and "yin" numbers, and odd numbers are considered to be "yang" numbers.  

In yin-yang philosophy, odd numbers are considered auspicious. 

Nine is the largest of the odd numbers. September is the ninth month.　Therefore, the 9th of September is the day when the two largest 9s among odd numbers come together.

If there is a mysterious power in numbers, the 9th September festival is the most powerful day.

Purification at the Chrysanthemum Festival 

The 9th of September is also known as the "Chrysanthemum Festival".

Some say that if you cover a chrysanthemum flower with a cotton ball the night before the Chrysanthemum Festival and wipe your body with the cotton ball on the morning of the 9th of September, you will be rejuvenated.

There was also a bath called "Chrysanthemum-bath" in which people put chrysanthemum flowers in a bathtub, and the chrysanthemum, a symbol of longevity, is said to have been highly valued.

Chrysanthemums were believed to have medicinal properties and to ward off evil spirits.　Furthermore, the design of the chrysanthemum is also considered to be the imperial emblem. 

The aromatic fragrance of chrysanthemum flowers was believed to ward off evil spirits and prolong life.

chrysanthemum

Food of Chrysanthemum Festival

Food for the Chrysanthemum Festival includes the following autumnal flavors, which can be used to capture the purification power.

Chestnut rice

Chestnut rice is a representative of the autumnal flavors. Rice cooked in a rice cooker with peeled chestnuts, water and salt. It's easy to make and very tasty.

Chestnut rice

Roasted eggplant

In the old days, it was common to roast and eat eggplant in season. Grilling eggplant on the grill is familiar, but it's easy to make it in a frying pan. Soft, juicy grilled eggplant with a browned, peeled skin is refreshing and delicious. It's even more delicious when you eat it with a little soy sauce.

               Roasted eggplant

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum was also popular as a food. Sometimes people would drink "chrysanthemum wine", which is cold sake with chrysanthemum petals floating on it. Since chamomile is a member of the chrysanthemum family, you can also drink chamomile tea.

chamomile tea

Conclusion

The 9th of September is an auspicious day, so why not be aware of the power of the number 9 spirit and eat foods associated with chrysanthemums and seasonal foods to help you get lucky.