Samurai class decorated the flat-cut. Because they knew emptiness of the fight.

In Japan, it is customary to decorate the "Kadomatsu" (link)
like Christmas tree in the New Year.
About this Kadomatsu, there is interesting story 
do not even know Japanese. 

Kadomatsu must decorate before December 28.
The reason for this is that:
"9" on the 29th, which means "Ku (Suffer)" in Japanese sound.
"Pine" is"Matsu (Wait)" in Japanese sound.
Because it means "Ku o Matsu" (Waiting for the suffering).

There are two types of tip shape of bamboo. Sharp cut and Flat cut.
The original was flat. But when the "battle of Mikatagahara",
Ieyasu Tokugawa was defeated Shingen Takeda.
He do not forget the insult was cut diagonally like the tip of a bamboo spear.
It is said that it's the beginning of the sharp cut.

Samurai class decorated the traditional flat-cut.
But the merchant class would like a sharp-cut showy. 
Currently, a sharp cut has become majority.

The origin of Kadomatsu, was decorating the pine symbolizes long life 
in front of the gate of the time of Tang (618-907) in China.
In Japan was introduced from China the Heian period (794-1192). 
Became the current style along with a bamboo pine, 
from becoming the Muromachi period (1336-1573).
It is said the fact that bamboo symbolizes long life as well, 
so it was a style like this.

In this way, most of the old Japanese culture was introduced 
from China and Korea. And it is the culture that was arranged in Japan.
The Japanese only did arrange them.
Since the Meiji period has been indiscriminate imitation Western culture.
Artist Taro Okamoto said, "There is only the original Jomon culture of Jpan."
It is the Stone Age of the 10th century BC.
Japanese people are too conceited.

Flat-cut of Samurai house.
Simple and strong image is the thought of Zen.

Sharp-cut of Traditional sweets shop:
Directed the prestigious merchant.