Tired of goodbyes and lasts; looking for hellos and firsts.

Monthly archives for September, 2011

The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

Sep30
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

Viewed from the road, one can tell immediately that this is no ordinary tree.

Number: 5
Name: Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira (上徳次郎のケヤキ)
Type: Japanese Zelkova (Zelkowa serrata)
Height: 38m
Trunk Circumference: 7.9m
Age: Unknown
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市徳次郎町（上徳次郎） (36° 39′ 35.1858″N 139° 50′ 7.7496″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18

This zelkova stands on the grounds of an old family home.

#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

My timing was excellent, meeting them just as they were on their way out, and they were kind enough to pose for a photo, too.

I was going to just take photos from outside, but as it happened, the family was just on their way out to start the day’s farm work. I asked if I could take some pictures and the old fellow invited me in and showed me the way to the tree.

#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

Because there are such big swathes of smooth bark, it almost looks like a younger tree, but the complexity of the trunk betrays its true age.

The trunk of this zelkova has a very complex shape. It’s as if the roots rise right up the trunk. It certainly looks like an ancient tree.

#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

It's actually pretty densely wooded back in here. Lots of trees vying for light.

Big, thick, old branches can’t really be seen. All of the branches are young and straining skyward with great energy.

#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

Because of the youthfulness of the top half of the tree, one wonders if the top half wasn't cut off or otherwise lost at some point in the past, and so only the base is ancient, while the top is the younger new shoots given a chance by that calamity.

Immediately adjacent to this tree is a fence and then the Nikko-Utsunomiya Toll Road. In fact, I had a little trouble finding the place, because, due to its proximity to the toll road, and also due to the stupidity of my navi, the navi wanted me to get on the toll road and then stop ON THE HIGHWAY when I got near the tree. Luckily, I know navi’s boneheaded ways, and found my own way to the tree.

#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

Herein, as with so many of the trees I've found, dwells a kami.

#5 The Giant Zelkova of Kamitokujira

With a final look back into the dense undergrowth, I turn and head off to my next destination.

I try to show you my Japan. Won’t you show us your Japan?

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Thinking about going on the game.

Sep28
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
Summer flowers

How could they be wrong for so long?

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How did he escape using only dental floss?

Sep26
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
Coneflowers

Carve a gun out of soap.

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The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #6 The Giant Zelkova of Chikatsu Shrine

Sep23
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#6 The Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine

Another picture marred by power lines.

Number: 6
Name: Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine (智賀都神社のケヤキ)
Type: Japanese Zelkova (Zelkowa serrata)
Height: E 40m/W 40m
Trunk Circumference: E 8.0m/W 7.3m
Age: 700 years
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市徳次郎町 (36° 39′ 23″N 139° 50′ 27″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18

Chikatsu Shrine is on the east side of the old Nikko Highway (now National Route 119). Enshrined there is Oonamuchi-no-mikoto (大己貴命), who is also known as Ookuninushi (大国主). Ookuninishi is more famously enshrined at the Grand Shrine of Izumo (to where all roads lead).

#6 The Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine

Upon passing through this little entrance, I saw something moving in the distance. As my eyes focused on the large flying yellow-and-black thing, I realized it was a giant Asian hornet, and so I quickly took a few last pictures and then skedaddled back to my car.

The shrine was established in Houki 9 (宝亀９年, that is, 778 CE) when Nikko-san Daimyoujin (the god enshrined at Futaara Shrine) had his duties divided and was ceremonially transferred here and enshrined as Chikatsu-no-mori (千勝森). Also, on a picture scroll kept at Utsunomiya Shrine in Uchiko, Ehime Prefecture, one can see what appears to be this shrine, its torii, and two sacred trees. The scroll has been dated to circa Bunmei 9 (文明９年, 1477 CE), and it is said the picture bears an unmistakable resemblance to this place north of Utsunomiya.

#6 The Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine

The east tree.

One wonders of those sacred trees in the picture on the scroll in Ehime are these still-living sacred zelkovas. If we assume that to be the case, then these two trees are easily older than 600 years.

#6 The Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine

The canopy of the west tree.

The two trees are roughly the same size, but I’d say the tree on the east side has thicker, fatter roots. One feels, though, that the insides of both trees have hollowed out over the centuries, leaving not much substance to them. Despite that, both these trees are wonderfully tall and vigorous looking. Tall, old trees such as these, hollow on the inside, constantly buffeted by strong winds… that they have held out this long against such an onslaught is a joyful thing.

In 1994, these trees were administered to by a team of tree surgeons to strengthen them.

#6 The Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine

Magnificent.

#6 The Giant Zelkovas of Chikatsu Shrine

As I beat my hasty retreat from the suzumebachi onslaught, I decided I need to come back here one day. But onwards, ever onwards.

I try to show you my Japan. Won’t you show us your Japan?

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No one wants to say the obvious.

Sep21
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
Coneflowers

Behold, Yeomen of the Guard.

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Let’s Introduce the Yak to Britain

Sep19
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
Chibi Megatron

Yaks dangling from balloons.

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The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

Sep16
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

Every great location is enhanced by a great gate.

Number: 7
Name: Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi (下ヶ橋の三ツ股カヤ)
Type: Nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera)
Height: 19m
Trunk Circumference: 5.2m
Age: >500 years
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市下ヶ橋町（東下ヶ橋） (36° 38′ 56″N 139° 56′ 37″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18

This tree is actually in someone’s back yard. They were around, but I couldn’t attract their attention, and so I entered through the gate.

#7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

Not only the default wooden plaque, but also a stone pillar denote this as an important natural monument of Tochigi.

I thought what a strange juxtaposition it was. Here I was presented with a nearly-home, and within spitting distance of the back door is a natural monument, an old nutmeg-yew. Even situations such as these exist, I guess. A brief look around showed what looked like an old well, and old irrigation marks. I guess there has always been a house here. As I approached the tree, I noticed that a colony of bees had set up shop in the southwest crotch, so I did not get too close.

#7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

You can't really see because I'm so far away, but that deep fold is actually the entrance to a bee hive.

It is said that on August 10th in 享保８年 (that’s 1723 CE), in the middle period of the Time of the Monkey (申中刻, which would be around 5pm, according to our modern reckoning), old Lake Ikari (五十里湖) broke its banks. Heavy flooding was visited on the entire region. To save the elderly and the woman and children, the men stayed behind until the very end, ensuring the safety of the community. At the last minute, urged on by someone’s call, the men climbed this nutmeg-yew and, fortunately, narrowly escaped a terrible death. That’s what’s said.

#7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

What an amazing thing to have in your back yard.

#7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

It's so warm and inviting in the summer sunshine.

Now, looking at the peaceful visage of this great old tree, it’s impossible to imagine that this is a grand old nutmeg-yew that has gone through such a trial as what happened in the eighth year of Kyouhou.

#7 The Forked Nutmeg-yew of Sagehashi

Though my visit was brief, I'm glad I met this tree, and glad I learned its amazing story. I wonder what I'll find next.

I try to show you my Japan. Won’t you show us your Japan?

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On Autumn

Sep15
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim

Dragonflies:
alighting here
or flitting there.
“Come fly with me!”
Melancholy.

20110913-102455.jpg

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The Marquis de Sade Shouting Obscenities at Passersby

Sep14
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
Delicious Berries

Ooooh, would you look at Cyprian! Isn't he lovely!

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On Growing One’s Own Food

Sep13
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim

Veranda garden:
cucumbers and many herbs.
Songs of cicadas.

20110913-101829.jpg

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