A pine is the tree Japanese people are most familiar with. It can be called “Our Tree.” Since ancient times, it has been considered a holy tree. Besides, as it is always green throughout the year, even in the coldest winter, it is respected as a symbol of long life. It is chosen as one of the top auspicious plants along with plum and bamboo. The group of the three is called “Sho-Chiku-Bai.” Before the new year, we build “Kadomatsu,” a simple pair of gates in front of the entrance with pines and bamboos, hoping the next year will be lucky and happy.

Kadomatsu

Matsu is the Japanese word for pine. The Japanese word “Matsu” also means “waiting.” We wait for a god to come to the tree and stay there. Some say it comes from another word “Mata,” meaning “legs,” which refers to the forked shape of a pine leaf.

Pines are used in parks, Japanese gardens, streets, temples, and shrines. They can grow even in harsh environments, so they are planted as a barrier against sand, wind, and tide along the beaches. The combination of pine green and beach white, “白砂青松,” is one of the beautiful views in Japan. The top three beautiful pine groves on the beach, “Matsubara,” are Miho-no-Matsubara in Shizuoka, Niji-no-Matsubara in Saga, and Kehi-no-Matsubara in Fukui.

Niji-no-Matsubara

They are used not only for the purposes mentioned above but also for Bonsai trees. Some pine tree bonsais are worth as much as one hundred million yen.

One hundred million yen worth Bonsai

At the roots of red pines in the wild woods, mushrooms rarely grow. This mushroom is called “Matsutake,” and it is the top-quality mushroom in Japan, one of the autumn Japanese food features. It might be smelly to foreigners, but the Japanese love its smell as a good fragrance.

There are a lot of pine trees in Japanese castles. There is one practical reason for this. It is said that these trees are prepared for being besieged and running out of food. The thin covering parts under the trunks can be edible.

They are very useful because we can get natural resin. Resin is used in many ways, such as paint solvents, varnishes, pharmaceuticals, and paper sizing agents.