Pine Tree Japanese Tattoo

This Bird and Pine Tree Japanese Tattoo short sleeve has been recently finished. The tattoo done by George Bardadim at Bardadim Tattoo, Brooklyn, NYC.

A little bit about Pine Tree in Japanese Art

In Japan, the pine tree, or matsu (松の木), shares the same meaning as the Chinese and Korean pine trees. That is, longevity, virtue, and youth. The pine is also associated with masculinity and power.

“Matsu” means “waiting for the soul of a god to descend from Heaven” in Japanese. In ancient Shinto beliefs, gods were said to have ascended to Heaven on a pine tree, where they now reside on a beautiful volcanic mountain in giant or old trees.

Pine trees are associated with the New Year in Japan. So much so that many Japanese hang a bundle of pine twigs and bamboo trunks known as a Kado matsu (“Gate pine” in English) on their doors to receive a blessing from the gods.

Pines are also used to mark the boundaries of the sacred ground of temples and shrines.(Source)