Tōsei Kikumi no Zu: Chrysanthemum Viewing in Edo — Art, Autumn & the Chōyō Festival

当世菊見ノ図

Tōsei Kikumi no Zu — Contemporary Chrysanthemum Viewing

Kuniteru | c. 1843–1847 (Tenpō 14 – Kōka 4)

In this luminous triptych, elegantly dressed women gather beneath a brilliant full moon to admire a spectacular display of chrysanthemums — with the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji rising serenely in the background. A quintessential image of Edo's autumn culture, rendered with warmth and sophistication. 🌕

Kiku-zaiku: Edo's Chrysanthemum Art

Each autumn, the neighborhoods of Dangozaka and Sugamo in Edo became famous for their extraordinary kiku-zaiku (菊細工) displays — elaborate sculptures of human figures, landscapes, and even full-sized sailing ships constructed entirely from living chrysanthemum flowers and stems. These spectacular installations drew enormous crowds and became one of the defining pleasures of the Edo autumn season. 🌼

Chōyō no Sekku: The Chrysanthemum Festival

September 9th — the Chōyō no Sekku (重陽の節句) — is one of Japan's five ancient seasonal festivals, originating in China where the double-nine date (the most auspicious of the “yang” numbers) was celebrated with chrysanthemums, sake, and prayers for longevity and good health.

In Japan, the tradition was embraced by the imperial court and later by the Edo shogunate, which celebrated it with great ceremony. Among the common people, it became an occasion for chrysanthemum competitions, kiku-zaiku exhibitions, and the drinking of kiku-zake (菊酒, chrysanthemum sake) — believed to ward off illness and bring long life. ⛩️

About the Artist

Kuniteru (国輝) was a pupil of Utagawa Kunisada, active during the late Edo period. He was known for his accomplished bijin-ga and genre scenes, working in the refined, colorful style of the Utagawa school. 🌸

Experience Ukiyo-e at Atelier UKIYO

At Atelier UKIYO, we celebrate the timeless beauty of Japanese woodblock prints — bringing the art of the Edo period into contemporary life through premium art prints and artist-led collections.

Explore our collection and discover the seasons of Edo. 🪭🎴