Symbols and mascots

City Symbol

 
The matsu of Matsue is the character for pine, and the hill that Matsue Castle was built on was originally named Mt. Kameda, as kame refers to turtles. Therefore, the outside of the circle is designed to resemble a turtle shell, and the inside of the circle represents pine needles.

City Flowers

 
Camellia
Peony

City Trees

 
Black pine
Cherry

City Shellfish and Fish

 
Shijimi Clam
Red Sea Bream
Some other symbols commonly associated with Matsue are the sunset at Lake Shinji and Matsue Castle. Because Matsue Castle is nicknamed Chidori-jo, or “Plover Castle,” plover bird symbols are used frequently. Items related to En-musubi (matchmaking or fate-binding) are also commonly found throughout the city, such as red (or pink) and white ribbons tied together, or shijimi clam shells. Not only are shijimi clams a famous product from Lake Shinji, but each pair of shells forms a perfect, unique match. [More info about En-musubi in Culture]

Mascots

 
There are many mascots characters around town, including Appare-kun –a fictional fuedal lord said to have been born on 5 April 1607, at the time of building the castle–and his wife, Shijimi-hime (“Shijimi Clam Princess”). You can often see them around Matsue History Museum.
Shimanekko is Shimane Prefecture’s tourism mascot. This cat is dressed as a Shinto shrine like Izumo Taisha, with a roof as a hat and a shimenawa (sacred rope) around his/her neck. This smiling cat of undisclosed gender and age makes many appearances at events in Matsue, Shimane’s capital.
島観連許諾第2475号

Another famous character associated with Shimane Prefecture is Yoshida-kun, a character from a popular flash animation cartoon called “Eagle Talon.” Despite his scowl, he loves Shimane, and can be spotted around Matsue.

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