Elegant and resilient, the camellia plant (tsubaki 樚) has long held a treasured place in Japanese life. Blooming on the cusp of winter and spring, the flowering camellia offers both visual beauty and deeper symbolism that has resonated across centuries of Japanese art, poetry, ritual and daily life.
A flower with quiet strength
Unlike the fleeting cherry blossom, which scatters petal by petal, the camellia flower falls whole - a detail that has shaped its cultural meaning. This trait made the flower especially poignant for the samurai, who saw in it a reflection of noble, sudden death and a life lived with dignity. The red camellia, beautiful yet sombre, was sometimes avoided in funeral contexts for this very reason.
In contrast, white camellias came to represent purity and spiritual beauty, while pink varieties suggest longing or admiration.
The cultural importance of camellias is celebrated in various seasonal festivals across Japan. On Izu Ōshima, an island south of Tokyo known as the 'Island of Camellias', the annual Tsubaki Matsuri is held from January to March. Visitors enjoy camellia garden walks, performances and displays of local crafts made from camellia oil.
Other regions, such as Nagasaki and Ehime, also host camellia-viewing events, where the flower is appreciated in serene temple settings or through guided walks in natural parks.
These festivals reflect a deep appreciation for seasonal change and the natural world, key values in Japanese aesthetics.
Camellias in traditional Japanese art
Camellias appear often in traditional Japanese art and design, from kimono patterns to lacquerware, furoshiki to inlaid wood.
Stylised camellia blooms with swirling leaves adorn textiles, tea ceremony tools, incense holders and seasonal paintings. In ‘ukiyo-e’, Japanese woodblock prints, they can be found embellishing the robes or hair ornaments of elegant women, quietly signalling seasonal beauty or refined taste. These lovely flowers also inspire the delicate artistry of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets shaped to reflect the changing seasons.
Traditional Japanese arts and aesthetics prize balance and harmony and the camellia flower’s symmetrical form makes it a natural fit.
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The craft of camellia oil
Beyond the visual appeal of its beautiful flowers and dark green foliage, the camellia plant has long been cultivated in Japan for its seeds, from which a rich, golden oil is pressed.
Known as ‘tsubaki abura’, this oil has been prized since ancient times for its nourishing properties. In regions such as Izu Ōshima, the Goto Islands and parts of Kyushu, camellia oil farming continues today, often by small, family-run operations.
Harvesting begins after the flowers drop, when the seed pods ripen and crack open. Farmers gather them by hand, dry the seeds and then press them - traditionally using stone or wooden mills.
Cold-pressed camellia oil retains its natural nutrients and fragrance and it is a wonderful ingredient for hair care and skincare products. Geisha and sumo wrestlers famously used it to keep their hair strong and lustrous and it remains popular in natural beauty products today.
Camellia oil is also used to maintain the sharpness of fine blades and is even used in cooking, particularly for tempura and other fried food.
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More recently, new techniques have been developed to extract oil from the leaves of the camellia plant as well as the seeds. This yields a lighter oil or extract that can be used in cosmetics and skincare, where the antioxidant properties of the leaves are especially valuable.
Camellias in contemporary design
Camellias in Japan are highly regarded for their visual beauty as well as the practical usefulness of the oil that can be extracted. It’s not surprising then that camellia motifs are still popular in modern Japanese design. They are inspired by traditional Japanese artworks and echo the flower's rich cultural significance.
Whether you're wrapping a gift, organising your day or simply adding a touch of seasonal elegance to your routine, these everyday items connect you to a legacy of artistry and natural grace.
The camellia is more than just a flower - it's a symbol of timeless style, quiet strength and the deep-rooted connection between beauty and craftsmanship in Japanese culture.
Shop for camellia designs
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