Quiet Elegance of Tsubaki (椿)

Tsubaki As Mirrors Of The Spirit

The painting titled “椿に白頭翁図 (Kacho-Hanga Tsubaki ni Shirogasira-zu)”, attributed to Edo-period painter Ito Jakuchu , presents a striking contrast between tsubaki (椿, tsubaki) and a small bird against a stark, jet-black background. While cherry blossoms and plum blossoms often come to mind as quintessentially Japanese flowers, tsubaki have historically played an equally significant role in Japanese culture, intimately woven into both daily life and spiritual traditions since ancient times. Indeed, tsubaki are personally my favorite flower. In this article, we’ll explore the quietly impactful presence of the tsubaki, examining the diverse roles it has played throughout Japanese cultural history.

In fact, tsubaki encompass countless varieties, each bearing distinct cultural meanings associated with their colors and forms. The wild species indigenous to Japan, known as Yabu-tsubaki (ヤブツバキ), typically features a single layer of deep crimson petals, and its simple yet powerful beauty has been honored since ancient times as the “hon-tsubaki” (本椿). Tea masters particularly favored the aesthetic concept known as wabi-sabi (侘び寂び), enjoying quiet moments by arranging modest, small-flowered tsubaki such as Yabu-tsubaki or the refined variety known as “Wabisuke-tsubaki” (侘助椿) in their tea ceremonies. The very name “Wabisuke” reflects the spirit of “wabi,” and notably, one specific variety is called “Sotan-tsubaki” (宗旦椿), named after Sen Sotan, the grandson of tea ceremony founder Sen no Rikyu (千利休), who cherished this particular tsubaki.