small chrysanthemum
Refers to a chrysanthemum flower that is small in size, or a variety with small blooms.
庭に小菊がたくさん咲いている。
Many small chrysanthemums are blooming in the garden.
small piece of Japanese paper; low-grade Japanese paper
A small, inexpensive sheet of traditional Japanese paper, often used as a kettle rest, tissue, or for other practical purposes.
茶道では、小菊を釜の敷き紙として使うことがある。
In tea ceremony, a small piece of Japanese paper is sometimes used as a rest for the kettle.
paper tip (red-light district)
Archaic term for a piece of paper given as a gratuity in a red-light district, which could later be exchanged for money. See also 紙纏頭.
See also: 紙花
In the red-light districts of the Edo period, there was a custom of customers giving paper tips called 小菊.
Compound of 小 (small) and 菊 (chrysanthemum). The paper-related senses likely derive from the small size or low quality of the paper, possibly by metaphorical extension.