Pine tree

松 matsu

Pine tree

Evergreen and long-lived, the pine stands for longevity and steadfastness; it leads the Three Friends of Winter and decorates the New Year.

Ancient Japanese New Year rites; Chinese 'Three Friends of Winter'

Pine was the traditional material of the kadomatsu, the New Year gate decoration set out as a resting place (yorishiro) for the year god who brings the harvest. As an evergreen it also heads the Chinese-derived 'Three Friends of Winter', called shōchikubai in Japan, where pine ranks highest. On formal kimono pine often appears with cranes and tortoises as a wish for long life.

Kadomatsu are still put out in pairs at New Year and burned after mid-January to send the god off.

Technique catalog · draft for review

Every way to wrap, carry and wear a furoshiki.

The furoshiki.com archive, sliced into annotated steps with plain directions, plus techniques found in research.