Pine Tree Day

What Is Pine Tree Day?

Every May 8th is "Pine Tree Day" (松の日, Matsu no Hi) in Japan. It was established in 1989 by the "Japan Society for Protecting Green Pines" (日本の松の緑を守る会), on the occasion of the group's 10th anniversary. The date commemorates May 8, 1981, when the society held its first national convention. The aim is to make it a day to "think about, protect, plant, and give thanks for the green of the pines."

Background of Pine Tree Day

Pine Tree Day was created to conserve pine forests and to pass on the culture surrounding pine trees.

• Founding group: The Japan Society for Protecting Green Pines, which worked to protect pine forests and spread knowledge about pines.
• Purpose: To protect pine forests that were being lost to pine wilt and other causes in many parts of Japan, and to raise interest in planting and caring for pines.
• The date: It marks the day of the society's first national convention. The society planned weekly, ten-day, and monthly events around this date.

The Pine in Japanese Culture

Since ancient times, the pine has held special meaning in Japanese culture.

• A symbol of good fortune: Because it stays green all year round, the pine has long symbolized longevity and constancy. It also comes first in "shō-chiku-bai" (pine, bamboo, and plum), a traditional trio of auspicious plants.
• Part of tradition: Pines appear everywhere from New Year kadomatsu decorations to Japanese gardens, the old pine painted on the back wall of the Noh stage, and classical paintings and poetry.
• Windbreaks and sand barriers: Along the coast, pines have been planted as windbreaks and sand-control forests to protect fields and villages from salty winds and blowing sand.

Pine Forests and the Environment

• Pine wilt: Pine wilt disease is caused by the tiny pine wood nematode, which is carried into trees by the Japanese pine sawyer beetle. The first damage in Japan is said to have been confirmed in Nagasaki in 1905, and it later spread nationwide.
• Human care: Pine forests are landscapes that have been maintained by people through work such as raking fallen needles and thinning.
• Scenic treasures: Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka Prefecture was registered in 2013 as a component of the "Fujisan" World Cultural Heritage site. Together with Niji no Matsubara in Saga and Kehi no Matsubara in Fukui, it is counted among Japan's "Three Great Pine Groves."

Things to Explore on Pine Tree Day

• Learn about the roles pines have played in Japanese gardens and coastal forests
• Find out about pine wilt disease and how it is being fought
• Look into the history of pine-lined roads and famous pine spots near you
• Compare Japan's pine culture with tree cultures in other countries

A Day to Learn About the Tree Behind Japan's Classic Landscapes

Pine Tree Day on May 8th is a day to notice the pine -- familiar, yet easy to overlook. Pines have supported life in Japan in many ways, through scenery, culture, and disaster prevention. Why not take this day to think about the long relationship between pines and people, remembering the pines in a nearby park or along the coast, or the kadomatsu you see at New Year?