New Year's Greetings from Hanairo Hyakka

Happy New Year.
Thank you for always choosing Hanairo Hyakka.

While planning our New Year's branch set, I became curious about the origins of "sho-chiku-bai" (pine, bamboo, and plum), which are considered symbols of felicitous occasions, so I looked into it.

Pine trees maintain their fresh green even in the severe cold of winter.
Bamboo grows straight and fast, and takes strong root.
Plum blossoms bloom beautifully ahead of spring.
These have been likened to remaining pure even in harsh environments since ancient China,
and were called the "Three Friends of Winter" (Saikan no Sanyu).

Eventually, this tradition came to Japan,
and "sho-chiku-bai" came to be treated as good luck charms.

Don't you feel like you can hear the voices of our ancestors who lived with the nature of this country, every time you learn about words and culture related to nature?

I thought about such things before the New Year, which for the first time in several years, seems like it will be spent with family and friends.

May the new year be fresh, strong, and beautiful for all of you.
We look forward to your continued support this year.

Hanairo Hyakka