Pine Tree Motifs on Japanese Kimono
Name: Matsu (松) Pine
Seasonal Association: Winter
When To Wear It: all year
Auspicious: yes
The pine tree, or ‘matsu’ is a symbol often used on quite formal kimonos. The pine tree is an evergreen, and is capable of withstanding incredibly harsh environments. Due to this it’s thought to symbolise virtue, youth, strength and longevity. It’s an iconic Japanese New Year symbol, meaning rebirth, renewal and a hopefully bright future. Often the pine tree is thought of as a male pattern, and is worn mostly in Winter but not exclusively so.
Matsu” means “waiting for the soul of a god to descend from Heaven”, I know, short word to convey such a long meaning. In ancient Shinto beliefs it was thought that the gods left the earth and ascended to Heaven on a pine tree. They are now thought to live on a volcanic mountain in giant old pine trees (presumably they very same ones that they ascended on). Due to the association of masculinity and strength, the pine motif was often used as a decoration on Samurai armour and clothing in the Edo period (1600-1867). The diamond pattern is a form of the pine tree motif, the pattern is meant to represent the bark of the pine tree.
A Note on Seasonality: Some sources of classical poetry place matsu in the category of a winter motif. I tend to agree with this assessment as pine has a very strong association in my mind with O-shogatsu (New Years) as well as it’s inclusion in the trio of shochikubai (the three friends of winter). Others do not agree with this. However one fact that is indisputable is that matsu is an auspicious motif and therefore can be worn all year round.
There are two main kinds of pine trees that grow in japan. Kuromatsu ( 黒松 black pine) grows in coastal areas and akamatsu ( 赤松 red pine) grows on mountains and in fields.Their long life (sometimes hundreds of years) hardiness, and the fact that they are green all year round make them an auspicious symbol of longevity. Pine is used in a wide variety of items in Japan. Lumber, windbreaks, fuel, torches, and bonsai all use pine wood. The soot from burning pinewood is used to create ink for calligraphy. In addition, matsutake mushrooms can only be found growing around the base of akamatsu.
Spiritually, pine is heavily linked with the gods of the Japanese pantheon. Noh plays usually feature at least one supernatural character, and the background for all noh stages is a painting of a single pine tree.During O-shogatsu (お正月Japanese New Year) homes are decorated with a pair of kadomatsu (門松gate pines). These decorations are said to provide homes for the gods during their visit to Earth.During O-shogatsu (お正月Japanese New Year) homes are decorated with a pair of kadomatsu (門松gate pines). These decorations are said to provide homes for the gods during their visit to Earth.
Uchikake with a pine motif, a featured item here in the Kimono Store