We are planning to accept donation for Higo Rokka Associations. If you have any questions. Send me an email to jplants.net@gmail.com
Discover new things by revisiting the old!
（温故知新）
Higo Giku (Higo Chrysanthemum)
Big Red Tube
Mid
White
Flat
Small
Red
Spoon
What are the characteristics of Higo Chrysanthemum flowers?
What are the characteristics of Higo Chrysanthemum flowers?
What makes them different from other Chrysanthemums?
All the petals are single
What is the color of the flower? White, Yellow, Red
The shape of the petals is also distinctive!
Flat, Tube, Spoon
Flower size:
Large Chrysanthemum : Diameter: 20-22cm, Height: about 135cm
Medium Chrysanthemum : Diameter 8-10cm : Height about 90cm
Small Chrysanthemum : Diameter 5-6cm : Height about 45cm
It is customary to grow them in flower beds! One ken: Approx. 1.8m
There are also three-ken, two-ken, and five-ken flower beds
How many varieties are there? 90-100 varieties
All the flower beds are lined with different varieties!
There are 29 varieties in the three-ken flower bed
Where you can see Higo Chrysanthemums!
2023 Schedules
Higo Chrysanthemum Sanken Flower Bed
*Currently, this is the only flower bed open to the public!
Suizenji Jojuen Garden Higo Chrysanthemum Exhibition Flower Bed & Display November 15th (Wed) - November 26th (Sun) 9:00-17:00
[Guided Event] You can listen to an explanation by a member of Aiju-kai!
November 24th (Fri) & November 25th (Sat) 11:00-12:00
2016 big earthquake devastated Kumamoto Castle area.
Higo chrysanthemum Three-ken beds area is currently not open to public.
Higo Chrysanthemum One-ken Decoration Flower Bed Arrangement with Potted Plants
*An exhibition of Higo Chrysanthemums grown within Kumamoto Castle!
Kumamoto Castle: Castle tower square, Josaien Wakuwakuza
November 15th (Wed) - November 23rd (Thu)
Former Hosokawa Gyobu Residence November 17th (Fri)
-Whenever possible, to coincide with events
Izumi Shrine (inside of Suizenji Jojuen Garden)
November 15th (Wed) - November 26th (Sun)
Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza, 2nd floor
November 15th (Wed) - November 23rd (Thu)
Higo Hosokawa Garden, Shoseikaku (Tokyo)
November 16th (Thu) - Until the end of December
*Exhibition dates and times are subject to change. Please check with each venue for detailed information.
Blooms from mid-November to early December!
History of Higo Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums have been cultivated since ancient times and are one of the most beloved flowers in Japan.
1751-1764: Higo chrysanthemum cultivation begins as part of the cultural policies of feudal lord Hosokawa Shigetaka.
1819: "Yogiku Shinansha" (Courtesy of the chrysanthemum Farm): feudal samurai Hideshima Shichiemon (pen name Hidero) establishes the method of creating Higo chrysanthemum flower beds.
(1826-1860): "Hanaren" is born. Breeding and new varieties are developed.
1887: "Aijukai" is formed.
1929: "Aijukai" is reorganized.
Rules on seedling sales, etc. are loosen up, so membership increased!
It was damaged hard by the Second World War, but regained its vitality after the war.
Around 1972, the "Higo Chrysanthemum Preservation Society" was established within the Kumamoto City Tourism Department.
In 1975, the "Higo Meikaen" was established in Takenomaru, in Kumamoto Castle.
Currently, members of the Aijukai are continuing the cultivation of Higo chrysanthemums and the creation of flowerbeds!
Seedlings are only available to members!
Complex flower arrangements
Complex flower arrangements that express the universe and nature.
Heaven, Earth, Man
From the right side, the order is
Back row → Large Chrysanthemum (Heaven)
Red (Flat), White (Tube), Yellow (Flat)
Middle row → Medium Chrysanthemum (Man)
Yellow (Flat), Red (Tube), White (Flat)
Front row → Small Chrysanthemum (Earth)
Red (Flat), White (Tube), Yellow (Flat)
Five constant spirits (benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, faith)
Large Chrysanthemum and Medium Chrysanthemum have five flowers per stalk as a basic rule. *There are also seven, nine, and eleven flowers.
Shadow (陰) : Main flower (ShinKa) (the flower in the middle at the back of a stalk) is lower than the secondary flowers (the flowers on both sides).
Sun Light (陽): Main flower (ShinKa)(the flower in the middle at the back of a stalk) is higher than the secondary flowers (the flowers on both sides).
The Higo Chrysanthemum flowerbed is a place for spiritual training!
It is a place where the grower can train himself throughout the year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and it is a place that reflects the grower's dignity.
In the past, it was considered polite to view the flowers in formal attire (crested hakama).
Aijukai(Higo Chrysanthemum Groupe)
Inheritance of Higo Chrysanthemum Flower Bed Manners, Flower Cultivation and Preservation
We are looking for members who love Higo Chrysanthemums!
[Activities] *Members only
April: Seedling Sales June: Cultivation Technique Guidance
November: Flower God Festival Viewing Event.
When I met Mr. Honda, he said "Now there are only 3 members to keep this way of growing and presenting the Higo Chrysanthemum.
Now they need more members to carry on this Aijukai.
Higo Chrysanthemum text book
Making Higo Giku flower bed for 12 months.
by Mr. Matsuoka May.14. 1990
Reference : Kumamoto City Green Meister Team Ladybug.
Kumamoto Castle (Official) photo gallery
Higo Bank , Higo Rokka web site.
Textbook of Higo Chrysanthemum.
Special Thanks to Mr. Honda, Chairman of the Aijyukai, and Mr. Mimura from Kumamoto Castle office, Spend time with me to talked about the Higo Chrysanthemum.