Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Seasonal
九月九日は重陽の節句といいまして、菊を浮かべたお酒で長寿を願う伝統がございます。 — September 9th is the Choyo Festival, with a tradition of floating chrysanthemums in sake to wish for longevity. (Cultural · Seasonal, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
九月九日は重陽の節句といいまして、菊を浮かべたお酒で長寿を願う伝統がございます。
くがつここのかはちょうようのせっくといいまして、きくをうかべたおさけでちょうじゅをねがうでんとうがございます。
September 9th is the Choyo Festival, with a tradition of floating chrysanthemums in sake to wish for longevity.
Romaji: Kugatsu kokonoka wa Chouyou no Sekku to iimashite, kiku wo ukabeta osake de chouju wo negau dentou ga gozaimasu. / Reply Romaji: Hee, hajimete kikimashita. Doko de okonawareru n desu ka?
Reply
へえ、初めて聞きました。どこで行われるんですか？
へえ、はじめてききました。どこでおこなわれるんですか？
Oh, I've never heard of it. Where is it celebrated?
Gesture & etiquette
If explaining at a temple, gesture toward chrysanthemum displays with respectful open palm. Recommend Kyoto's chouyou festivals for first-time experience. Speak with cultural pride—this is preserved heritage.
「重陽の節句」 (chouyou) is the fifth of the five sekku (五節句) on September 9th—the 'doubled yang' day (9 is highest yang number). Traditions: 菊酒 (chrysanthemum sake), 菊の被綿 (cotton soaked in chrysanthemum dew), 栗ご飯 (chestnut rice). Less observed today than other sekku, but practiced at temples like Kyoto's Hounen-in.