Friday two of my friends and I attended the opening of the Kiku exhibition of meticulously cultivated chrysanthemums at the New York Botanical Garden. Yes, it rained, and we went anyway! We had no regrets.
Talk about having one’s expectations exceeded. (For me, Disneyland held that distinction until Friday!) Along with my “blown away” expectations went my notions of autumn chrysanthemums--as I’ve known them through the years.
For starters, the Kiku chrysanthemums are chrysanthemums as prepared originally for the emperor’s enjoyment. (Kiku styles of chrysanthemums were designed to celebrate the November 3 birthday of Emperor Meiji. From 1868-1912, there was an annual exhibition in the first two weeks of November.) An annual exhibition is held still during the first two weeks of November.
“Meticulous cultivation” for some of these flowers translates to 11 months of care. This particular exhibition, “the most elaborate flower show and cultural celebration ever presented by the New York Botanical Garden in its 116-year history,” is the result of a 5-year collaboration with the Kiku master gardener at Shinjuku Gyoen, the private garden of the imperial family until World War II.
Of the seven styles in which chrysanthemums are trained at Shinjuku Gyoen, three were chosen for the New York show. All three styles, very different in their final form, originate from tiny cuttings. Ogiku are tall, single stem plants. Kengai are small blossoms grown to resemble flowers cascading down a cliff. The Ozukuri style of Kiku means “thousand blooms.” Ozukuri literally means “to make big,” because the final plants must be 8 or 9 feet across. These require the longest amount of time and the greatest skill to grow. Both the process and the products of these three styles of chrysanthemums evoke wonder and awe.
That the art of Kiku cultivation is on the verge of disappearing in Japan is not surprising. The best gardeners are near retirement and young people are uninterested in learning the traditional, labor-intensive techniques. It is hoped this exhibition “across the waters”—in New York—will cause the Japanese people to recognize the beauty of the tradition they have nurtured through the years and keep it from dying out.
The Kiku exhibition, showing now at the New York Botanical Garden through November 18, has demanded time and “the time it takes” has been provided. It is a not-to-be-missed experience. Your soul will be gladdened and your heart will sing!
I love your chrysanthemum posts and wish that I could attend the KIKU flower show. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of it. I am linking you as I am an absolute chrysanthemum enthusiast, and have many photos of them on my blog.
Posted by: Princess Haiku | October 31, 2007 at 12:17 AM