Material culture
Chrysanthemum and the Sake Cup
How a ninth-month festival, a longevity flower, and one small card become a hinge between looking and playing.
Stories
Published stories
Hanafuda
September's Hanafuda Cards
Chrysanthemum, the sake cup, blue ribbon, and the two chaff cards of Hanafuda's ninth month.
Seasonal culture
What Is Tsukimi?
A concise guide to Japanese moon-viewing, the 2026 mid-autumn moon date, and why the full moon is not always the same night.