1.
sasanqua; sasanqua camellia; winter-blooming camellia
An evergreen shrub or small tree (Camellia sasanqua) native to Japan that blooms in late autumn to early winter, producing white, pink, or red flowers. Distinguished from the similar tsubaki (camellia) by its bloom time and the way its petals fall individually.
The kanji 山茶花 literally means "mountain tea flower." The reading さざんか is believed to come from a sound shift of the original Chinese reading さんさか. A beloved winter flower in Japan, often planted as hedges and garden ornamentals.
Common collocations
- 山茶花が咲く: sasanqua blooms
- 山茶花の花: sasanqua flowers
- 山茶花の垣根: sasanqua hedge
- 山茶花梅雨: sasanqua rainy season (a brief rainy spell in late autumn)
Similar words
- 椿: camellia (tsubaki) — blooms in spring, flowers fall whole rather than petal by petal
- 茶の花: tea plant flower — small white flowers from the same family
Cultural note
The children's song「たきび」(Bonfire) famously mentions 山茶花: 「さざんか さざんか 咲いた道」. This is one of the most recognized seasonal references in Japanese culture, firmly associating 山茶花 with the winter season.
Related Words
Compare:
椿 (camellia)