one golden head—the emblem of the sun itself. Also it is the ‘Flower of the Four Seasons,’ as it blooms at all times of the year, like Majesty. And, in the case of this particular monarch, his birthday is in the Chrysanthemum month—November. The flower typifies also, with its numerous petals, many years of a long life, hardiness, and courage. It is one of the Sikunshi, or ‘Four Floral Gentlemen,’ and is the nobleman of the group. Many are the legends that concern it.
That of the fair girl whose maud on her kimono was, like the Emperor’s, a Chrysanthemum, is beautifully told by Lafcadio Hearn. One day, she saw a handsome young samurai passing in the street; their eyes met; her heart went out to him; but he disappeared in the throng. After that, whenever she went out she wore that purple kiku-adorned kimono, in order that he should recognize her again if they met, and when she was at home she wept and prayed before it, and sighed her heart and finally her life out, in vain longings. After her death the beautiful robe was given as an offering to one of the temples, and by the priests sold four times, for each time it was returned because the wearer had died obsessed by the image of a handsome young knight. Then at last, at the temple, the haunted garment was solemnly set on fire. At the invocation (Munu myo ho renge Kyo) great sparks flew up that set fire to the temple, and, at last, to all Tokio.
