Chrysanthemum Day
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Chrysanthemum Day (菊の節句, Kiku no Sekku) is one of the five ancient sacred festivals of Japan. It is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month.[1] It was started in 910, when the Japanese imperial court held its first chrysanthemum show.[1] Chrysanthemums are the symbol of the Imperial House of Japan.[1]
A popular custom of the Chrysanthemum Day festival is to drink sake with chrysanthemum petals in it.[2][3] Another tradition is to lay cotton wool over individual chrysanthemum blooms to soak up the dew overnight.[2] The chrysanthemum dew, which is believed to have healing powers, is wiped onto the face.[2]
