This study was carried out to clarify the mechanical behaviour of the earlywood and the latewood to the compressive load applied parallel to the grain. The results from the analysis of Japanese cedar wood (Cryptomeria japonica) were used to introduce a concept on stress-strain behaviour of the earlywood and the latewood. There was a significant differences in the mechanical behaviour of the earlyWood and the latewood. In the earlywood, the rate of cell wall upon annual ring was almost similar and the strain increased linearly with the stress increased. However, the rate of cell wall upon annual ring varied in the latewood and the strain of that increased curve-linearly with the stress increased. The longitudinal compression modulus of elasticity (MOE) variation by loading speed on latewood specimens and earlywood specimens shows no significant difference. The modulus of rupture (MOR) and MOE of latewood were about 4 times higher than those of earlywood.