Twin Pines
Summary
The Twin Pines are a pair of pine trees found in the town of Morioh. After the rise of the Wall Eyes following the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011, they were split apart; now one of them stands over a Wall Eye, and the other one at it's bottom, within the Higashikata Estate. They are large enough to hang from[2] and have numerous patches of foliage that take on a seemingly spherical shape. The land around the pines is heavily implied to be supernatural in nature.[3][4]
The pine on top is called the Meditation Pine (瞑想の松, Meisōnomatsu)[1] or Lone Pine (一本松, Ipponmatsu)[5] and it is said that mangaka Shotaro Ishinomori meditated under it.[3]
History
Background
The pines' recorded existence dates back to at least the Meiji era.
In 1901, Johnny Joestar arrived to Japan with the Saint's Corpse. Johnny, desperate to save his wife, hides the corpse in a cave at the base of the pine. Shortly after, Johnny would carry Rina to the base of the pine, and prayed for her health using the corpse's power. Rina is brought back to health, but unfortunately in the process, their son George was afflicted with the disease in her place. Johnny ran off with George and the corpse.
On the same day, a baby washes up on a beach near the pine, and is found by a local fisherman. The baby's identity was investigated, but seemingly nothing came out about his origin.[1]
Decades later, in 1963, a young Norisuke Higashikata IV is saved by his mother, Tomoko Higashikata from the Rock Disease through Equivalent Exchange near the pine.[4]
At some point, a shrine was built at the base of the Twin Pines.
In 1991, Norisuke's wife Kaato Higashikata grows an interest in the shrine within the pine, having heard of Johnny Joestar's legend and the curse of the land around it.
Shortly after, Jobin accidentally knocks out a bully threatening him, using his dormant ability. Kaato finds herself in a situation where she decides to use the boy's body to perform an Equivalent Exchange with Jobin. The boy is buried inside the cave within the pine and with Jobin's curse gone, Kaato roamed free until 5 years later, when the body was found by workers in the area.[6]
JoJolion
In 2011, Japan is hit by a massive tsunami and the protuberances known as the Wall Eyes rise along Morioh's coast. As a result, the pair was split apart; the Lone Pine was left at the top of a Wall Eye, and the other one, at the bottom. The Lone Pine was at some point, carved with symbols and words.
The Lone Pine is first seen when Kei Nijimura introduces it to Josuke Higashikata, explaining that it is believed that Shotaro Ishinomori meditated under it.[3]
Later, Yasuho Hirose investigates the tree near the Higashikata Estate and discovers the second pine. She is pulled into the caved inside it by Tsurugi Higashikata. The cave seemingly leads to the basement in the fruit garden of the estate.[1]
The Lone Pine repeatedly reappears throughout the story in the background or passing mentions.
Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan
Nothing is known about this location in TSKR Episode 6 other than it being located Northeast of Morioh. It is a reference to the trees of the same name in JoJolion.
Gallery
The Saint's Corpse inside a suitcase, hidden in the cave
The Twin Pines' shrine
Kaato, noticing the shrine
Yasuho investigating near the pine
Twin Pines mentioned in TSKR Episode 6
JJL Volume 27 extra page
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 JoJolion Chapter 22: Morioh 1901
- ↑ JoJolion Chapter 87: The Wonder of You, Part 4
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 JoJolion Chapter 17: The Lemon and the Tangerine
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 JoJolion Chapter 30: King Nothing
- ↑ JoJolion Chapter 26: Tsurugi Higashikata's Goal, and the Architect
- ↑ JoJolion Chapter 64: Mother and Child
