What is the Double Ninth Festival on September 9th? Its meaning, origin and traditional events

Choyo no Sekku is a traditional Japanese event held on September 9th. This day is considered particularly auspicious as it is the day when the number 9, the "yang" number, appears multiple times. This festival, which was introduced from ancient China, is an event in which people pray for health and longevity by decorating chrysanthemum flowers and drinking chrysanthemum wine. It has been held in Japan since the Heian period, and is still celebrated in some places today. Simply put, Choyo no Sekku is a day to pray for the health of your family and yourself.

The Choyo Festival is one of the five seasonal festivals, along with Jinjitsu (Jinjitsu) on January 7th, Jōshi (Jōshi) on March 3rd, Tango (Tango) on May 5th, and Tanabata (Tanabata) on July 7th. These festivals are held at the change of seasons to pray for health and happiness. The Choyo Festival is especially known as a day to pray for longevity. Each of the five seasonal festivals has a different meaning and is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history.

On the Double Ninth Festival, people decorate the house with chrysanthemum flowers and drink chrysanthemum sake to pray for health and longevity. There is also a custom of putting out the Hina dolls that were put out on March 3rd again, known as "Ato no Hina." This is an event in which the family prays for good health by putting out the Hina dolls again. These customs are deeply rooted in traditional Japanese life and can easily be incorporated into the family.

The reason why September 9th was chosen as the Double Ninth Festival is because it has multiple odd numbers, which are "yang" numbers. In particular, "9" is the largest yang number, and has long been considered auspicious in China. This idea spread to Japan, and Double Ninth Festival has been celebrated on September 9th since the Heian period. On this day, events using chrysanthemum flowers are the main focus, and it is meant to pray for health and longevity.

Nochi no Hina is a custom in which the Hina dolls that were put up for the Girls' Festival on March 3rd are put up again for the Double Ninth Festival on September 9th. This is meant to pray for longevity by allowing the Hina dolls to circulate well. It originally began in the Edo period and spread as an event to pray for the health of adults. It continues in some areas even today, with the purpose of putting the Hina dolls up again to pray for the health of the family.

Kikuzake is a special drink that is drunk on the Double Ninth Festival. It is believed that chrysanthemum flowers are soaked in sake, and the fragrance of the flowers will ward off evil spirits. There is a custom of drinking this sake to pray for good health and longevity. It is easy to make, just pick chrysanthemum flowers and float them in the sake. On the Double Ninth Festival, why not spend some time praying for good health while enjoying some Kikuzake with your family?

The Double Ninth Festival is an important event for praying for eternal youth and longevity. On this day, people pray for longevity and health by decorating with chrysanthemum flowers and drinking chrysanthemum wine. There is also a custom of "Kiku no Kasewata," in which people cover chrysanthemums with cotton and then wipe their bodies with the cotton that has absorbed the scent. These traditional customs were carried out to protect the health of families, and are still cherished in some areas today.

Japan has a variety of traditional events for each season. For example, Setsubun takes place in February and is an event to drive away demons and bring in good fortune. Obon takes place in August, and is a period when families visit graves to welcome the spirits of their ancestors. Shogatsu begins on January 1st and is an important time to celebrate the New Year with family and friends. And Tanabata takes place on July 7th and celebrates the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi. These events are important for gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and traditions.

Kiku no Kisewata is a custom that takes place on the Double Ninth Festival, in which cotton is placed over chrysanthemum flowers on the night of September 8th, and the next morning people pray for longevity by wiping their bodies with the cotton. This custom is believed to transfer the scent of the chrysanthemum to the cotton, which is believed to ward off evil spirits and maintain good health. It is said to have been performed at the Imperial Court during the Heian period, and the tradition continues in some places even today. This custom is an important event that prays for the health and longevity of family members.

In modern times, it is easy to incorporate traditional customs into the celebration of the Double Ninth Festival. For example, it is common to decorate the home with chrysanthemum flowers and prepare chrysanthemum wine and drink it with the family. It is also recommended to make simple arrangements using seasonal flowers and enjoy Japanese sweets. These methods can be easily adopted by even busy modern people, and you can pray for longevity and health while spending a fun time with your family.

In addition to Choyo no Sekku, there are other annual autumn events such as regional autumn festivals and Respect for the Aged Day. Autumn festivals are traditional events held to give thanks for the harvest and pray for a good harvest. Respect for the Aged Day is celebrated in September and is a day to pray for the health and longevity of the elderly. These events share the common theme of praying for health and happiness in the autumn season. Choyo no Sekku in particular can be enjoyed by the whole family as it marks the beginning of autumn.

The Choyo Festival, one of the five seasonal festivals held on September 9th, is a traditional Japanese event.
The meaning and customs of this festival are that it is an event held with the purpose of praying for health and longevity.

Specifically, the custom is to decorate with chrysanthemum flowers and drink chrysanthemum wine, which is said to make wishes for health and longevity come true.

There is also a custom called Ato no Hina.

March 3rd is the day of Hinamatsuri, when dolls are displayed.
These dolls are then displayed again on September 9th, with the intention of praying for longevity.

These important traditions, customs, and practices of Japan are truly part of its heartwarming atmosphere.