Kiku Debuts at the New York Botanical Garden

In November, I had a chance to visit a very special exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx. Nestled throughout the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Courtyards was Kiki: The Art of the Japanese Chrysanthemum. Kiku, which is a display of meticulously cultivated chrysanthemums, a traditional Japanese art form, was shown in the largest display ever outside of Japan.

Here are some of the gorgeous highlights:

Ogiku- a single large blossom balanced atop a tall stem, are displayed in the traditional tazuna-ue style, recalling the colors and pattern of the bridle of the emperor's horse.

Rows of Ogiku-styled blossoms.

Ozukuri- "a thousand bloom" A single plant has been trained to produce up to 300 or more perfect flowers on a complex frame or scaffold.

Ozukuri on display.

The chrysanthemums form a kengai, which is Japanese for overhanging cliff. A bamboo pavilion decorated with tassels and curtains known as uwaya, shelters the kengai.

The cross-cultural celebration of Autumn showcased Japanese Maples, dark-needled conifers, and towering bamboo displays, which included sculptures. The kiku were cultivated in the Bronx by the Botanical Garden horticulturists over the course of six to twelve months.

Tetsunori Kawana, created the Bamboo Sculpture. Kawana trained volunteers to cut and split by hand 220 pieces of freshly cut giant madake or timber bamboo. The installation started with 30-foot-long sections of bamboo, cut drilled, and fastened with wire into large triangles.

The New York Botanical Garden hosts special exhibitions and programming throughout the year. Visit their official website for more information.