Mum's the word

Walking through Kobe in October and November you will see lots of chrysanthemums (kiku in Japanese) displayed by the front doors of homes and shops, their big, heavy looking yellow, white or pink blossoms on slender, leaf laden stems. You will also find prize winning flowers on display, like today's picture, at places such as shrines and parks.

The chrysanthemum is symbolic of the Imperial Family of Japan, the yellow blossoms are reminiscent of The Sun- the ancestor, according to Japanese mythology, of the all Japanese Emperors. The imperial seal, found everywhere from public buildings to the cover of Japanese passports is the symbol of the gold chrysanthemum.

Why don't you get a haircut? You look like a chrysanthemum.
P.G. Wodehouse