Floral appeal: A chrysanthemum exhibition at Sankeien Garden in Yokohama, Japan. (Inset) Edible chrysanthemum.
The chrysanthemum has a special place in Japan and different colours carry specific messages.
Rika, my Japanese friend, once regaled me with a faux pas committed by her American boyfriend Jim. He had presented Rika with a big bouquet of mixed-coloured chrysanthemums when he invited her for dinner at his house to celebrate her birthday.
