Slaves Of Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemum growers,
You are the slaves
Of chrysanthemums.
I must admit I didn’t fully understand Basho’s haiku until I saw these astonishing examples of chrysanthemum husbandry at the Yushima Tenjin Shrine last weekend…
If you’d like to visit the Yushima Shrine the next time you’re in Tokyo, a map is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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Jonelle Patrick View All
Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
love them the white ones are so gorgeous often represented in ukiyoe
You’re right! And in haiku, too. Actually one of my very favorites is:
Before the white chrysanthemum
The scissors hesitate,
A moment.
I always think of the ones at the Meiji Shrine when I read it.