Good "tsubaki" (camellia) day

Today, and January 28th annually, is "Good Tsubaki (Camellia) Day". Separate to the birthday flowers entirely, “Good Camellia Day” honors the beauty and cultural significance of the camellia. We call it “Tsubaki” in Japanese, bu they are quite distinctive, so many people call them "tsubaki" in English. 

The reason there is a "Good Tsubaki Day" separate to the days when tsubaki is the flower of the day, is because of the significance of tsubaki in Japan. Moreover, it was a business opportunity for Oshima Tsubaki, a long‑standing camellia‑oil manufacturer founded on Izu Ōshima, who created the anniversary. Apparently, tsubaki grows abundantly in Izu Oshima.

The date comes from a wordplay on ii‑tsu‑ba‑ki (1‑2‑8), which is the same as January 28th in short in Japan (1/28) meaning “good camellia.” Naturally, the company also hopes to share the tradition of camellia oil—used for centuries in haircare, skincare, and daily life—with a wider audience and preserve the heritage surrounding the flower.