Crysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum reached Japan in the 8th century, as Buddhism was introduced.

The Chrysanthemum was adopted by the Japanese Emperor in the 12th century and came to be associated with power and longevity symbolising the long and successful reign of the Emperor Go-Toba. In September each year, there a Festival is held to honour this exotic and richly coloured flower..

This flower of one of the ‘Four Gentlemen’ or ‘Four Noble Ones’ – plants that represent the seasons and have a special significance in traditional Japanese art and brush painting or sumi-e:

Orchid: Representing the Spring with elegance and grace
Bamboo: represents the Summer, symbolising resilience and flexibility.
Chrysanthemum: Representing the Autumn – longevity and a noble character.
Plum Blossom: the plant of Winter – bringing hope for a new beginning.

I painted this flower during the autumn, using a Japanese paper called Kita Kata made from the leaves of the Gampi shrub.   I use traditional black Sumi and coloured mineral inks with brushes from China and Japan. The painting has been float mounted and framed in natural Ash.