THE MEANINGS WOVEN IN
松
matsu
A wish for a strength that stays green through the winter.
Pine
A long life →01
Where it comes from
The pine keeps its green needles through the cold months, when other trees stand bare. It is also known to live for centuries, and so it has carried a wish for long life and a heart that does not change. Pine has long been seen as a tree where gods come to rest, and at New Year it is set at the gate as kadomatsu. The pine painted on the back wall of the Noh stage is said to stand for such a tree, where a god comes down.
02
On the cloth
On obi, pine may stand as a whole tree, or be drawn as round clusters of needles scattered across the ground. Here pine and cranes gather among storehouses on cream with vermilion, gold, and black; on cream and gold, pine meets clouds and plum; and in green, vermilion, and gold, it sits in roundels with chrysanthemum and fans.
03
To give
Pine is a gift for New Year, long-life celebrations, and weddings. It suits someone whose steadiness you have leaned on, and whom you hope will stay well for a long time.
A word to keep
常磐
tokiwa
Evergreen, unchanging. Said of pine, which keeps its color through the seasons.
Two questions
What does the Pine (松) pattern mean?
A wish for a strength that stays green through the winter. Pine is a gift for New Year, long-life celebrations, and weddings.
Where does the 松 pattern come from?
The pine keeps its green needles through the cold months, when other trees stand bare. It is also known to live for centuries, and so it has carried a wish for long life and a heart that does not change.
