Akamatsu (written: 赤松, literally "red pine") is a Japanese surname. It originates from a combination of the elements 赤 (aka) meaning "red" and 松 (matsu) meaning "pine tree, fir tree." Notable Bearers The surname is historically associated with the Akamatsu clan, a samurai family that wielded significant power during the Muromachi period. Among its prominent members are Akamatsu Masanori (died 1477), a daimyō; Akamatsu Mitsusuke (1381–1441), a samurai; Akamatsu Norifusa (1559–1598); and Akamatsu Norimura (1277–1350), a samurai. In modern times, figures bearing the name include Ken Akamatsu (born 1968), the renowned manga artist behind series such as Love Hina and Negima!; Ryoichi Akamatsu (born 1995), an Olympic high jumper; and Naoki Akamatsu, a guitarist for the pop band Hysteric Blue. The surname also appears in Japanese baseball, politics, and aviation. Cultural Significance The name is composed of a color (red) and a tree (pine), common motifs in Japanese surnames. The red pine (Pinus densiflora) is a tree native to East Asia and holds cultural resonance in Japanese landscape and Zen gardens. The characters themselves are pictorial and carry aesthetic weight frequently chosen to evoke natural imagery. Meaning: "red pine" (from Japanese aka + matsu) Origin: Japanese Type: Surname Notable bearers: History during the Muromachi period, modern days in manga, sport, politics