Chōyō no sekku
The Double Ninth Festival
September 9 is Chōyō, the traditional chrysanthemum festival. It is a seasonal observance rather than a national public holiday.
Language note: 重 suggests doubling; 陽 refers here to the traditional yang association of odd numbers. The ninth day of the ninth month gives the festival its name.
A date can carry a flower, a custom and a wish across generations.
DJW practice example: 重陽の節句に、菊の花を飾る。
Chōyō no sekku ni, kiku no hana o kazaru.
Decorate with chrysanthemums for the Double Ninth Festival.
This entry is editorial language teaching. It is not an attributed personal quotation. Source context: 2025 cultural overview; 2026 event listing.
Sources:
Government of Japan: seasonal sake culture and the five seasonal festivals: https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/ja/april_2025/april_2025-01.html
Kyoto City Tourism: Chōyō ritual and karasu-zumō, September 9, 2026: https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=4822