The Chrysanthemum: Flower of Emperors

Tomoenishiki, a classic variety from the Kaga region in northwestern Japan, is noted for its elegant two-colored petals.

Edogiku, a variety developed in what is now Tokyo.

The ichimonji variety is the model for the imperial crest.

The itogiku, a kudamono variety, has spidery, tubular petals.

Bunkyō Aikiku Kai chair Sugimoto Keiji with one of his masterpieces of cascading pink chrysanthemums.

Sanbon-jitate specimens no more than 60 centimeters tall, known as daruma.

A single ippon-jitate variety under 40 centimeters known as fukusuke-zukuri.

Cascading kengai displays.

A meticulous senrin-zaki arrangement of blossoms branching out from a single stem.

Bontei arrangements of bonsai chrysanthemums.

Characters from a historical television drama dressed in chrysanthemum costumes.