Matsutake mushroom Coloring Pages

What kind of mushroom is it?

The Matsutake mushroom is a very special mushroom known as a taste of autumn. It is famous for its unique, wonderful smell, and it has been cherished in Japan as a high-class food since long ago.

Why does it smell so good?

The biggest feature of the Matsutake mushroom is its smell. It smells so good, just like you are inside a forest! This is thanks to a special ingredient unique to the Matsutake mushroom called matsutakeol. This smell is a treasure that only the Matsutake mushroom has and no other mushroom has.

Where does it grow?

The Matsutake mushroom does not just grow anywhere. It grows together with the roots of a pine tree called the Japanese red pine in Japan. The Matsutake mushroom gets nutrients from the Japanese red pine tree, and in return, it helps the pine tree grow. That is why it only grows in clean forests with Japanese red pine groves.

When is it in season?

The Matsutake mushroom is a mushroom that grows in autumn. It can be picked a lot especially from September to October, when it gets a little cool. People could pick a lot long ago, but now there are fewer than before, so it has become a very precious mushroom.

There are many ways to eat it

There are many ways to eat the Matsutake mushroom to enjoy its wonderful smell.

• Grilled Matsutake mushroom: You grill the Matsutake mushroom as it is and eat it with a little soy sauce. It is a fancy way to eat it that lets you enjoy the smell best.
• Dobinmushi: This is a dish where the Matsutake mushroom, chicken, fish, and other things are put into a small pot called a dobin and steamed. The wonderful smell of the Matsutake mushroom spreads softly with the steam.
• Matsutake mushroom rice: You cut the Matsutake mushroom into small pieces and cook it with rice. The smell of the Matsutake mushroom moves into the rice too, and it is very yummy.

How to Choose Colors: Take a close look at a real Matsutake mushroom!

The trick for this Matsutake mushroom coloring page is to use different colors for the cap and the stem.

• The Cap: The top of the cap is brown, with thin patterns in a slightly darker brown. Try layering dark and light colors to make the patterns!
• The Stem: The stem is white or cream-colored. It looks whitish from above, but the part near the dirt might have a little light brown on it.

How to Color for a 3D Look: Think about "Shadows" and "Light"!

Let's show off the round, 3D shape of the Matsutake mushroom in your coloring page, too.

• Cap Shadows: Add shadows under the cap and where the gills overlap using light gray or light brown. This makes the cap look nice and round!
• Stem Shadows: If you layer a slightly darker color on the narrow parts and the bottom of the stem, your stem will start to look 3D.

Tips to Enjoy Your Coloring Page!

• Try adding a background!
  • Matsutake mushroom grows in the forest! If you draw pine trees, fallen leaves, and dirt in the background, it will look like it's right in the forest!
• Express yourself freely!
  • Feel free to color your Matsutake mushroom coloring page with any colors you like! A rainbow Matsutake mushroom or a polka-dot Matsutake mushroom would be super cute, too!