Pine tree


KURO MATSU Bonsai
Family: Pinaceae
Latin name: *there are 3 indigenous pine trees in Japan,
KURO MATSU (Pinus thunbergii): Evergreen tree with needle-like
leaves. The height is a maximum of 40m. Blooming season is April.
The trunk has blackish bark and its habitat is the seaside. Its
English name is "Japanese black pine"
AKA MATSU (Pinus densiflora): Evergreen tree with needle-like
leaves. The height is 30-35m. Blooming season is April. Its trunk
is reddish, and its habitat is mountainous areas. The English
name is "Japanese red pine".
GOYOU MATSU (Pinus parviflora): Evergreen tree with short
needle-like leaves. The height is 20-30m, and the blooming
season is May-June. Its habitat is high mountain areas. It has the
English name of "Japanese white pine" or "Japanese five needle
pine"

MATSU (Japanese pine tree) is a symbolic tree of long life. This
tree is evergreen and has long life, so it is counted as one of the
happy or fortune plants (the other plants being Japanese plum
and bamboo) in Japan. At the beginning of the year, the Japanese
make New Year decorations called KADO MATSU (KADO = gate,
MATSU = pine) using pine tree branches and bamboo trunks. This
decoration is a sign to welcome to the gods.
The Japanese have appreciated this tree with its mannish
image, just as Japanese cherry blossoms have been appreciated
for their feminine image. Until the Edo Period (1600-1868),
SAMURAI people (warrior-class people) often asked artists to
paint MATSU trees as a means of wishing for long life and
victory. In the Edo Period, Bonsai potting became very popular
and MATSU was utilized as typical Bonsai material.


KADOMATSU
decorations in front of
Japanese noodle shop

KADOMATSU made of
bamboo, pine tree
and rice straw

GOYOU MATSU Bonsai

KURO MATSU Bonsai

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The background of this page is a traditional pattern
for KIMONO (Japanese costume)