Japan’s Lost Festival of Immortality and Flowers | Choyo no Sekku

Did you know that Japan has five traditional seasonal festivals — and that September 9th, known as Choyo no Sekku(Chōyō no Sekku), is the last of them? While holidays like Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) and Tanabata (Star Festival) are still widely celebrated, Choyo no Sekku has quietly faded into obscurity... even within Japan.
In this video, I explore the fascinating history and forgotten customs behind this unique event. From drinking sake with chrysanthemum petals to the massive art with chrysanthemum— Choyo no Sekku is full of symbolism, elegance, hope for longevity and deep seasonal awareness.

【Instagram】
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【Citations】
・National Diet Library Digital Collection: https://www.ndl.go.jp/en/
・Dataset of Pre-Modern Japanese Text: https://codh.rois.ac.jp/
・mooyeo's video by Pixabay

【Chapters】
00:00 – Opening
00:17 – Chrysanthemum designs in daily life & their meanings
00:51 – The legend of Kikujido & the deeper meaning of the flower
01:16 – The five seasonal festivals (Gosekku)
01:26 – The meaning behind Gosekku through Yin-Yang theory
01:55 – Chrysanthemums in the Japanese imperial court & their modern use
02:18 – The beauty and artistry of chrysanthemums in Japan
02:56 – Unique customs using chrysanthemums to ward off evil spirits
03:34 – Eating & drinking chrysanthemums for longevity and immortality
04:08 – Proven health benefits of chrysanthemums
04:46 – Seasonal foods for Choyo no Sekku
05:11 – Atobina: A meaningful tradition after Hinamatsuri
06:08 – The five Gosekku festivals & how Chōyō no Sekku compares
07:13 – Closing thoughts: Reflecting on the festival