Kiku Matsuri: Chrysanthemum Festival

Washington Park

Editor's Pick

When

Oct. 25–26, 2025

Daily, Times vary

Where

Portland Japanese Garden

611 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205

Ikebana International (Portland Chapter #47) celebrates the chrysanthemum in this special, two-day-only exhibition in the Yanai Classroom. Ikebana International first celebrated Kiku Matsuri, the Chrysanthemum Festival, at Portland Japanese Garden in 1983. Local ikebana artists from various schools or styles will create arrangements featuring chrysanthemums, known as kiku in Japanese.

Kiku Matsuri, or Choyo no Sekku, observed in Japan on September 9, is the final of the five seasonal Go-Sekku festivals in Japan’s traditional lunar calendar. Chrysanthemums symbolize longevity, dignity, and nobility. A 16-petaled chrysanthemum even appears on the imperial family crest. The flower has been cultivated in Japan since it was first introduced in China in the 8th century.

Ikebana, a Japanese art form, has been translated as “living flowers” or “giving life to flowers,” and is unique from other approaches to flower arrangement. In ikebana, asymmetry and the use of empty space are essential features of the overall composition. A sense of harmony among the materials, the container, and the setting is also crucial.

Ikebana International is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of ikebana. Ikebana International does not teach any single type of ikebana. Rather, it is an interest group made up of people of many nationalities who enjoy ikebana and other arts of Japan.