Sweet Pea Day (Sweet Pea no Hi)

What is "Sweet Pea Day"?

January 21 is "Sweet Pea Day." It was established by the Japan Sweet Pea Association (日本スイートピーの会). The reasons given are that this is when the flower's fragrance is at its richest, that the petals — one standard petal, two wing petals, and one keel — look like "1-2-1," and that Seiko Matsuda's song "Akai Sweet Pea" was released on January 21, 1982.

The origin and history of sweet peas

Sweet peas are a legume believed to originate from Sicily in the Mediterranean. They were found in Sicily in the late 17th century, and in 1699 the priest Francesco Cupani sent seeds to England, where the flower's development as a garden plant began; large-scale breeding took off in the late 19th century. Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, loved sweet peas, earning them the nickname "the Edwardian flower."

The origin of the name

As the name suggests, "sweet pea" means "a sweet-smelling pea." In Japanese, they are also called "jakō endō" (musk pea) or "kaori endō" (fragrant pea), and the species name odoratus means "fragrant" in Latin.

Sweet peas in Japan

Sweet peas are thought to have arrived in Japan in the late Edo to Meiji period. Cultivation for cut flowers later spread, and today Miyazaki Prefecture is among the best-known production areas. They're a beloved staple of cut flowers from winter through spring.

The boom of red sweet peas

In 1982, the release of singer Seiko Matsuda's hit song "Akai Sweet Pea" ("Red Sweet Pea") made the flower famous across Japan. At the time, red sweet peas were hardly available on the Japanese market (reddish varieties are said to have existed abroad long before), but the song's popularity spurred breeding, and red varieties are now sold.

Characteristics of sweet peas

• Delicate, butterfly-like flower shapes with spread "wings"
• A sweet, fruity fragrance that brightens any room
• A wide range of colors, mainly pastels — white, pink, purple, and blue
• Climbing tendrils that wind around their surroundings as they grow
• Long-lasting as cut flowers, making them popular winter flower gifts

Flower meanings and gift-giving

Because their shape resembles a butterfly about to take flight, sweet peas carry meanings such as "departure," "farewell," and "a fond memory" in flower language. These aren't sad farewells — they carry a forward-looking sense of hope for a new beginning.

A flower for new beginnings

Available from January through March, sweet peas are an ideal flower for life milestones such as graduation, school entrance, or starting a new job — often given as a gesture of encouragement for a fresh start.

Tips for enjoying sweet peas

• When arranging in a vase, remove any leaves or flowers below the water line
• Keep the water level shallow and change it frequently to extend their lifespan
• Remove wilted blooms promptly so other buds can open more easily
• Place away from direct sunlight and air conditioning drafts

A fragrance announcing the arrival of spring

Sweet Pea Day is a day that lets us feel a hint of early spring even amid lingering cold. Their elegant shape and rich fragrance soothe the heart and build anticipation for the new season. On January 21, why not display a bunch of sweet peas — for someone special, or just for yourself?