Translation guide
This is a highly specific traditional Japanese seasonal activity, not a common English concept. It refers to the custom of gathering wild herbs and uprooting young pine seedlings during the New Year period, often as part of festive preparations or children's games.
Describing the custom of collecting herbs and pulling out young pine trees by the roots, typically done during the New Year season in Japan.
This is the most direct and natural way to express the concept in Japanese, combining 'wakana-tsumi' (picking young herbs) and 'komatsu-hiki' (pulling out small pine trees). It is a set phrase associated with New Year traditions.
正月には若菜摘みと小松引きをする習慣があります。
There is a custom of collecting herbs and pulling out young pine trees by the roots during the New Year.
A more descriptive version using verbs explicitly. 'Nebiki suru' means to pull out by the roots. This phrasing is clearer for learners but slightly less idiomatic as a set phrase.
子供たちは野原で若菜を摘み、小松を根引きしました。
The children gathered herbs and pulled out young pine trees by the roots in the field.
If the combined concept is not recognized, you can explain the two actions separately: 'wakana wo tsumu' (pick young herbs) and 'komatsu wo nebiki suru' (pull out small pine trees by the roots). This is useful when the listener is unfamiliar with the tradition.
この時期は若菜を摘んだり、小松を根引きしたりします。
At this time of year, we pick young herbs and pull out small pine trees by the roots.
This activity is part of 'koshōgatsu' (小正月, Little New Year) traditions, particularly on the 15th day of the first month. It is often associated with children's games and rituals for health and prosperity. The phrase may appear in classical poetry or descriptions of folk customs.