[Ditto]

After the war, MacArthur ordered all chrysanthemums ground off guns and swords to eliminate any symbol of the deity status of the emperor.

I always thought the Japanese ordered it because the chrysanthemum was the symbol of the royal family and it should not fall into enemy hands.

[Jack Hammer]

“I always thought the Japanese ordered it because the chrysanthemum was the symbol of the royal family and it should not fall into enemy hands.”

I believe YOU’RE correct; in any case, the only ones with mums intact were brought back by vets as souvenirs, and they’re a bit tough to find.