Symbol of a prestigious monzeki temple associated with Emperor Saga and chrysanthemums

The temple was originally founded by Emperor Saga in the early Heian period (794-1185) as a detached palace, Saga-in. The temple was later founded by his grandson, Prince Tsunenakara, and became a temple in 876. Mr. Takehara, who is the executive director of Daikakuji Temple, the head temple of the former Saga Gosho, told us about Emperor Saga, who is said to have established the elegant dynastic culture of the Heian period. We have a record that Emperor Saga was very fond of chrysanthemums and held a banquet to celebrate Chrysanthemum Festival on September 9, Chou-you-no-Sekku. Emperor Saga excelled at Chinese poetry, and there is a poem he composed at the banquet. He also told us that Daikakuji Temple is the headquarter of the Saga school of ikebana, and that the key point of the school is "Emperor Saga and Chrysanthemums.
Emperor Saga arranged native chrysanthemum flowers on Kikugashima Island in Osawaike Pond and said, 'Those who appreciate flowers in future generations should take this as a model. These words are the wisdom of Emperor Saga, and the reason why he is regarded as the originator of chrysanthemums. One might imagine that Emperor Saga, who had a connection with chrysanthemums, used the chrysanthemum crest in this way, but it took root a little later in history. The chrysanthemum crest is the crest of the imperial family. It is said that it was first used by Emperor Go-Toba in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Three generations of emperors, Emperor Gosaga, Emperor Kameyama, and Emperor Uda, have served as chief priests of Daikakuji Temple since the Kamakura period, and until the end of the Edo period, the priests have been members of the imperial family for many generations. For this reason, we use the crest of chrysanthemum. Emperor Saga must have been pleased that the chrysanthemum flower, which he loved so much, is still used as the symbol of the temple.

Note the subtly placed crests and the unusual nine-dot chrysanthemum pattern throughout the set-up.

The temple crest of Daikakuji Temple is the eightfold chrysanthemum crest "16-leaf eightfold Omotegiku" of the valve, which is officially designated as the crest of the imperial family. We asked about spots where the crest can be seen on the temple grounds.
Most of the halls have been relocated from buildings that were actually used in the Imperial Palace, and you can see this everywhere, from the balustrades of the corridors to the door decorations," Takehara said. As Mr. Takehara says, a large banner with a crest welcomes visitors at the entrance to the Shikidai (ceremonial platform) in front of the entrance to the shrine. The Imperial Gate, with its powerful crest, is only open on special occasions, such as official visits by the imperial family and memorial services, so you cannot get close to it, but the solemn atmosphere can be seen from a distance.
When Hōhō Go-Uda served as abbot of the temple, his emblem was a 'kuyo chrysanthemum' with eight chrysanthemums surrounding a central chrysanthemum. You can see the crest on the gosho used by the emperor, which is rare in Daikakuji Temple, on display in the entrance of the Shikidai," he said. There are many souvenirs you can take home with you, such as fu senbei crackers branded with the chrysanthemum crest, a red seal book designed with the crest as the moon, and an omamori, a good-luck charm. They also sell them online, so those who cannot visit the temple can also check them out.

Don't miss the Daikakuji Sagagan chrysanthemum, the most impressive exhibition event, which is presented to the Imperial Court.

The chrysanthemums that grew wild on Kikugashima and the banks of Osawa Pond in the Heian period (794-1185) cannot be seen today, but they are growing their own Daikakuji Saga chrysanthemums, which are considered to be kept outside the gate. It is a thin, thread-like ancient chrysanthemum, and is grown to a height of 2 meters so that it can be appreciated from the corridor. Three chrysanthemums are planted in one pot, with seven flowers at the bottom, five flowers in the middle, and three flowers at the tip, forming a "753" pattern, and the leaves, from the bottom, are yellow with dead leaves, green, and young leaves, representing the four seasons. The leaves also represent the four seasons, with four different colors of flowers. Since they are vulnerable to strong sunlight and wind and rain, the Daikakuji Saga Chrysanthemum Preservation Society takes care of them as if they were their own children. During the Saga Chrysanthemum Exhibition, held every year from November 1 to 30, as many as 800 pots of Saga chrysanthemums bloom in the temple grounds. The potted plants are presented to the imperial court and delivered to the residences of the imperial family. We are grateful that people look forward to seeing them every year.
The Daikakuji Saga chrysanthemum still has a connection with the imperial family. Mr. Takehara-san's careful explanation of the chrysanthemums gave us a glimpse of the hard work of the members of the Daikakuji Saga Chrysanthemum Preservation Society. The high quality of the chrysanthemums, which have been carefully preserved, should be appreciated together with the chrysanthemum crest.

Family crests, which have been used as symbols of family status, and crests unique to shrines and temples, called kamon or temple crests, originated in the Heian period (794-1185) when court nobles added crests to their furnishings and personal belongings as landmarks.
There are currently more than 240 types, the most common of which are botanical crests with flower and leaf motifs, rich in plants of all four seasons.