The idea for this hoko comes from a Noh chant, Kikujido ('The Boy with Chrysanthemums'). Once, an imperial envoy for Emperor Han Wendi of Wei went deep into the woods to get medicine, where they met a boy.
The boy said he had been forced to leave the city 700 years ago after accidentally stepping over the Emperor's pillow. Since then, he had written down verses of Lotus Sutra on chrysanthemum leaves, and after drinking dew from these leaves, had gained eternal life. The boy gave this special water to the imperial envoy. This hoko was reconstructed in 1953. On top of the hoko are sixteen chrysanthemums facing the heavens, and a plaque displaying the words Kiku-Sui (Chrysanthemum Water) engraved upon it.
By T.S. on 4th Jul., 2008
The boy said he had been forced to leave the city 700 years ago after accidentally stepping over the Emperor's pillow. Since then, he had written down verses of Lotus Sutra on chrysanthemum leaves, and after drinking dew from these leaves, had gained eternal life. The boy gave this special water to the imperial envoy. This hoko was reconstructed in 1953. On top of the hoko are sixteen chrysanthemums facing the heavens, and a plaque displaying the words Kiku-Sui (Chrysanthemum Water) engraved upon it.
By T.S. on 4th Jul., 2008
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