{{Short description|Tree, a species of cypress}} {{use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Speciesbox | fossil_range = {{Fossil range|7.2|0|Miocene–Recent}} | image = 大智寺 (岐阜市)-樹齢約700年の大ヒノキdaichiji008.jpg | image_caption = A 700-year-old hinoki tree at Daichi-ji temple in Gifu Prefecture, Japan | status = NT| status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Farjon, A. |date=2013 |title=''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' |volume=2013 |article-number=e.T42212A2962056 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42212A2962056.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Chamaecyparis | species = obtusa | authority = (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' var. ''formosana'' }} thumb|Close-up of hinoki cypress needles '''''Chamaecyparis obtusa''''' ('''Japanese cypress''', '''hinoki cypress'''<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |access-date=2014-10-17}}</ref> or '''hinoki'''; {{langx|ja|檜}} or {{lang|ja|桧}}, {{Transliteration|ja|hinoki}}) is a species of cypress native to central Japan in East Asia,<ref name=farjon>{{cite book|author = Farjon, A.|year = 2005|title = Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys|publisher = Royal Botanic Gardens|location = Kew|isbn = 1-84246-068-4}}</ref><ref name=rushforthc>{{cite book|author = Rushforth, K.|year = 1987|title = Conifers|publisher = Helm|isbn = 0-7470-2801-X}}</ref> and widely cultivated in the temperate northern hemisphere for its high-quality timber and ornamental qualities, with many cultivars commercially available. It once existed outside Asia with a range that stretched to Germany during the Miocene.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mai |first=Dieter Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1dYO0AEACAAJ |title=Die mittelmiozänen und obermiozänen Floren aus der Meuroer und Raunoer Folge in der Lausitz: Fundstellen und Paläobiologie |date=2001 |publisher=Schweizerbart |language=de}}</ref> Hinoki grows primarily on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The main massifs are formed in mountainous regions with a moderately humid climate, at altitudes from 300 to 1,500 meters above sea level<ref>{{Cite web |title=Хиноки, или японский кипарис: ботаника, культура и использование |url=https://chamaecyparis.ru/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=chamaecyparis.ru}}</ref>.
== Description == It is a slow-growing tree which may reach {{convert|35|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chamaecyparis obtusa - Plant Finder|url=http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c204|access-date=2021-02-18|website=www.missouribotanicalgarden.org}}</ref> with a trunk up to {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}} in diameter.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} The bark is dark red-brown. The leaves are scale-like, {{convert|2|-|4|mm|in|abbr=on}} long, blunt tipped (obtuse), green above, and green below with a white stomatal band at the base of each scale-leaf. The cones are globose, {{convert|8|-|12|mm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, with 8–12 scales arranged in opposite pairs.
== Related species == The plant is widespread in Japan. The related ''Chamaecyparis pisifera'' (sawara cypress) can be readily distinguished in its having pointed tips to the leaves and smaller cones.<ref name=farjon /><ref name=rushforthc /> A similar cypress found on Taiwan is treated by different botanists as either a variety of this species (as ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' var. ''formosana'') or as a separate species ''Chamaecyparis taiwanensis''; it differs in having smaller cones (6–9 mm diameter) with smaller scales, and leaves with a more acute apex.<ref name=farjon /><ref name=rushforthc />
== Timber == It is grown for its very high-quality timber in Japan, where it is used as a material for building palaces, temples, shrines, traditional ''noh'' theatres, baths, table tennis blades and masu. The wood is lemon-scented, light pinkish-brown, with a rich, straight grain, and is highly rot-resistant. For example, Horyuji Temple and Osaka Castle are built from hinoki wood. The hinoki grown in Kiso, used for building Ise Shrine, are called 御神木 ''go-shin-boku'', or "divine trees".
== Ornamental cultivation == It is also a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens, both in Japan and elsewhere in temperate climates, including western Europe and parts of North America. A large number of cultivars have been selected for garden planting, including dwarf forms, forms with yellow leaves, and forms with congested foliage. It is also often grown as bonsai.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}
=== Cultivars === Over 200 cultivars have been selected, varying in size from trees as large as the wild species, down to very slow-growing dwarf plants under {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} high. A few of the best known are listed below.<ref>{{cite book|author = Lewis, J.|year = 1992|title = The International Conifer Register Part 3: The Cypresses|publisher = Royal Horticultural Society|location = London}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1 = Welch, H.|author2 = Haddow, G.|year = 1993|title = The World Checklist of Conifers|publisher = Landsman's|isbn = 0-900513-09-8}}</ref><ref>Tree Register of the British Isles</ref> Those marked {{smallcaps|agm}} have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants – Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 16 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 24 January 2018}}</ref> * 'Crippsii'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/3614/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Crippsii/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Crippsii' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> makes a broad conic golden-green crown with a vigorous leading shoot, growing to {{convert|15-20 |m|ft|abbr=on}} or more tall * 'Fernspray Gold'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/84060/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Fernspray-Gold/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Fernspray Gold' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – {{convert|3.5 |m|ft|abbr=on}}, arching sprays of green/yellow branches * 'Kamarachiba'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/79190/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Kamarachiba/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Kamarachiba' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – spreading shrub, {{convert|45|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|100|cm|in|abbr=on}} wide, sprays of yellow-green * 'Kosteri'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/94843/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Kosteri/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Kosteri' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – sprawling dwarf to {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide, with brilliant green foliage * 'Lycopodioides' reaches up to {{convert|19 |m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, with somewhat fasciated foliage * 'Minima' – under {{convert|10 |cm|in|abbr=on}} after 20 years with mid-green foliage * 'Nana'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/93755/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Nana/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Nana' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – dark green, rounded dwarf shrub to {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} * 'Nana Aurea'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/90973/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Nana-Aurea/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Nana Aurea' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, golden tips to the fans and a bronze tone in winter * 'Nana Gracilis'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98224/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Nana-Gracilis/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Nana gracilis' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – crowded fans of tiny branches producing richly textured effects; often cited as dwarf but has reached {{convert|11|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall in cultivation in Britain * 'Nana Lutea'{{smallcaps|agm}} – compact, slow-growing, golden yellow selection which has become very popular; yellow counterpart to 'Nana gracilis' * 'Spiralis' is an erect, stiff dwarf tree * 'Tempelhof' growing to {{convert|2-4 |m|ft|abbr=on}} with green-yellow foliage that turns bronze in winter * 'Tetragona Aurea' grows to around {{convert|18 |m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, with a narrow crown and irregular branching, the scale leaves in 4 equal ranks and branchlets tightly crowded, green and gold * 'Tsatsumi Gold'{{smallcaps|agm}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/136391/i-Chamaecyparis-obtusa-i-Tsatsumi-Gold/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' 'Tsatsumi Gold' | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref> – {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, contorted branches, yellow-green foliage
== Chemistry == The lignans chamaecypanones A and B, obtulignolide, and isootobanone can be found in the heartwood of ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' var. ''formosana''.<ref>{{cite journal|title = Three novel and one new lignan, chamaecypanones A, B, obtulignolide and isootobanone from the heartwood of ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' var. ''formosana''|author1 = Kuo, Y.-H.|author2 = Chen, C.-H.|author3 = Chiang Y.-M.|journal = Tetrahedron Letters|volume = 42|issue = 38|year = 2001|pages = 6731–6735|doi = 10.1016/S0040-4039(01)01272-2}}</ref> The biflavones sciadopitysin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin, podocarpusflavone B, 7,7<nowiki>''</nowiki>-''O''-dimethylamentoflavone, bilobetin, podocarpusflavone A, 7-''O''-methylamentoflavone, amentoflavone, hinokinin and hinokiflavone have been confirmed in the leaves of the plant.<ref>{{cite journal|title = Biflavones from ''Chamaecyparis obtusa''|author1 = Krauze-Baranowska, M.|author2 = Pobłocka, L.|author3 = El-Hela, A. A.|journal = Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C|year = 2005|volume = 60|issue = 9–10|pages = 679–685|pmid = 16320608|url = http://www.znaturforsch.com/ac/v60c/s60c0679.pdf|doi = 10.1515/znc-2005-9-1004|s2cid = 819375}}</ref> Chamaecydin was first discovered in the seeds of ''C. obtusa''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Su |first1=Wen-Chiung |last2=Fang |first2=Jim-Min |last3=Cheng |first3=Yu-Shia |date=1993-10-01 |title=Hexacarbocyclic triterpenes from leaves of Cryptomeria japonica |url=http://ntur.lib.ntu.edu.tw/bitstream/246246/102683/1/43.pdf |journal=Phytochemistry |language=en |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=779–782 |doi=10.1016/0031-9422(93)85358-X |bibcode=1993PChem..34..779S |issn=0031-9422}}</ref> The essential oil of ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'' contains a wide range of chemical compounds, including but not limited to the following: sabinene, elemol, myrcene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, eudesmols, α-terpinyl acetate, α-terpinolene, α-terpineol, 3-carene, α-pinene, γ-terpinene, camphene, bornyl acetate, 1-methyladamantane, cuminol, eucarvone, 2-cyclopenten-1-one, 3,4-dimethyl-, 1,3-dimethyl-1-cyclohexene, calamenene, τ-muurolol, borneol, α-cadinol, β-thujaplicin.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Raha |first1=Suchismita |last2=Kim |first2=Seong |last3=Lee |first3=Ho |last4=Lee |first4=Sang |last5=Heo |first5=Jeong |last6=Venkatarame Gowda Saralamma |first6=Venu |last7=Ha |first7=Sang |last8=Kim |first8=Eun |last9=Mun |first9=Sung |last10=Kim |first10=Gon |title=Essential oil from Korean Chamaecyparis obtusa leaf ameliorates respiratory activity in Sprague‑Dawley rats and exhibits protection from NF-κB-induced inflammation in WI38 fibroblast cells |journal=International Journal of Molecular Medicine |date=31 October 2018 |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=393–403 |doi=10.3892/ijmm.2018.3966|pmid=30387810 |pmc=6257863 |s2cid=53391206 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Geun-Shik |last2=Hong |first2=Eui-Ju |last3=Gwak |first3=Ki-Seob |last4=Park |first4=Mi-Jin |last5=Choi |first5=Kyung-Chul |last6=Choi |first6=In-Gyu |last7=Jang |first7=Je-Won |last8=Jeung |first8=Eui-Bae |title=The essential oils of Chamaecyparis obtusa promote hair growth through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor gene |journal=Fitoterapia |date=January 2010 |volume=81 |issue=1 |pages=17–24 |doi=10.1016/j.fitote.2009.06.016|pmid=19576968 }}</ref> Some of these compounds are fragrances or intermediates used in the fragrance industry. Thus, the ''C. obtusa'' essential oil is used in perfumery and personal care products, such as soaps, shampoos, cosmetics.<ref name="auto"/> Hinoki wood is used as a traditional Japanese stick incense for its light, earthy aroma.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hinoki Japanese Cypress Essential Oil |url=https://www.stillpointaromatics.com/hinok-cypressi-chamaecyparis-obtusa-japan-essential-oil |website=Stillpoint Aromatics |language=en}}</ref>
Essential oil distilled from its wood is uniquely scented and highly valued.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Su |first1=Sharleen |title=Distilling Taiwan's Native Scent |url=https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/en/Articles/Details?Guid=032c2108-b881-4273-a6fe-5bc9289acc57&CatId=9 |website=www.taiwan-panorama.com |publisher=Taiwan Panorama |access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref>
== Pollen == Hinoki pollen can cause pollinosis, a specific type of allergic rhinitis. ''Chamaecyparis obtusa'', along with ''Cryptomeria japonica'' (sugi, Japanese cedar), is the leading source of allergic pollen in Japan and a major cause of hay fever in Japan.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ishibashi |first1=Akira |last2=Sakai |first2=Kenshi |title=Dispersal of allergenic pollen from Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa: characteristic annual fluctuation patterns caused by intermittent phase synchronisations |journal=Scientific Reports |date=December 2019 |volume=9 |issue=1 |page=11479 |doi=10.1038/s41598-019-47870-6|pmid=31391490 |pmc=6685964 |bibcode=2019NatSR...911479I |s2cid=199474476 }}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana gracilis'.jpg|''C. obtusa'' 'Nana Gracilis' File:Kyoto Toji Hiwadabuki C0990.jpg|Cypress bark is used as a traditional roofing material (''hiwadabuki'') at Tō-ji in Kyoto File:Haeckel Coniferae Chamaecyparis obtusa.jpg|Illustration File:Chamaecyparis Obtusa bonsai.JPG|Bonsai File:Japanese cypress woods C032473.jpg| File:Chamaecyparis obtusa 01.jpg|Tanzawa Mountains, Japan File:Chamaecyparis obtusa2.jpg|Foliage; underside showing white stomatal lines </gallery>
== References == {{Reflist|21em}}
== External links == {{Commons category-inline|Chamaecyparis obtusa}} {{Cupressaceae}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q917187}} {{Authority control}}
obtusa Category:Endemic flora of Japan Category:Trees of Japan Category:Five sacred trees of Kiso Category:Garden plants of Asia Category:Near threatened flora of Asia Category:Ornamental trees Category:Plants used in bonsai Category:Plants described in 1844 Category:Taxa named by Philipp Franz von Siebold Category:Taxa named by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini