Sir, we've detected an incoming pie. / Deploy the wife!
Monthly archives for November, 2011
Oslo is burning.
...and I don't wanna swim.
The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #44 The Giant Zelkova of Muryouju Temple
The tree is tucked away behind the priest's home and is overshadowed by the magnificence of the approach to the temple.
Number: 44
Name: Giant Zelkova of Muryouju Temple (無量寿寺のけやき)
Type: Japanese Zelkova (Zelkowa serrata)
Height: 18m
Trunk Circumference: 5.3m
Age: Unknown
Location: 栃木県真岡市下籠谷 (36° 29′ 14.7222″N 139° 58′ 49.0794″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18
Stairs like these almost always hold wonderful things at the top.
An avenue of cryptomeria such as this counts as a wonderful thing.
According to temple lore, in Eiwa 1 (永和元年, 1375 CE), a pupil, Sadayuki (定祐), of Head Priest Joue (定恵) of Senju Temple, started to build a small thatched hut in Komoriya Village (籠谷村). It is thought that, at first, it was used as a place to spread the teachings of Shinran.
The main hall.
Later, at the end of the Tenshou Era (天正, 1573-92 CE), Komoriya Isenokami Masataka (籠谷伊勢守政高) became the patron of the temple and had it erected at its current location. Though the temple complex was only endowed with 30 koku of land, it is a splendid temple.
Overlooking the road and some azaleas.
This natural monument zelkova stands out back, next to the temple kitchen, on the edge of a 10m ledge. From this location, the zelkova can look down on both the priest’s quarters and the nearby road. In springtime, in a small garden below the tree many azaleas bloom. Of course, the roots on the cliff-side side are large and strong to keep the tree from tumbling down the side.
The tree itself isn't a beauty on its own, but its environment and the way it provides a home to other things makes it beautiful.
And thus ends my Marine Day tree hunting expedition. It was certainly an excellent day, but so hot. After this, I went home and had a nap in the air conditioning (naughty, running the aircon in the afternoon on a weekday when we were supposed to be conserving electricity). But don't worry, this isn't the end, there are still LOADS of trees left to visit.
And here, finally, we find it.
If only I could remember why I was searching for it.
This goes out to all the trendsetters.
DJ! Come play my song on the radio.
The Giant Trees of Tochigi: α7 The Giant Evergreen Oak of Takao Shrine
The Evergreen Oak and my car.
Number: α7
Name: Giant Evergreen Oak of Takao Shrine (高龗神社のアカガシ)
Type: Japanese Evergreen Oak (Quercus acuta)
Height: 11.1m
Trunk Circumference: 3.32m
Age: 230 years
Location: 栃木県河内郡上三川町東汗 (36° 28′ 15.4662″N 139° 56′ 42.468″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18
This is the entrance to Takao Shrine, and that just behind and to the left of the torii is the evergreen oak.
Sharing a complex with Mangan Temple is Takao Shrine. Here, adjacent to the entrance torii, is the Giant Evergreen Oak. This tree doesn’t usually live in places as warm as south Tochigi. They prefer cooler climates, and can generally cannot be found further south than Fukushima and north Niigata. And yet, here is one smack dab in the middle of Kaminokawa. This, like the Giant Evergreen Oak of Takioka Onsen Shrine suggest that the climate in Tochigi used to be much cooler than it is today.
It was nice to get a chance to see a living Evergreen Oak after the shock that was Takioka Onsen Shrine. Alas, I must keep moving. On this hot, humid Marine Day, I had one more tree to visit.
I try to show you my Japan. Won’t you show us your Japan?
Summer Dream
So sweet and so cold.
The beginning has been delayed. The end is in sight.
I can't understand a word you're saying.
The Giant Trees of Tochigi: α6 The Giant Ginkgo of Mangan Temple
The first bonus tree of Mangan Temple: their ginkgo!
Number: α6
Name: Giant Ginkgo of Mangan Temple (満願寺のイチョウ)
Type: Ginkgo/maidenhair (Ginkgo biloba)
Height: Unknown
Trunk Circumference: Unknown
Age: ~250 years
Location: 栃木県河内郡上三川町東汗 (36° 28′ 15.6216″N 139° 56′ 43.3314″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18
When I rocked up to Mangan Temple to find the nutmeg-yew, I was surprised to find more large trees. This is the giant Ginkgo of Mangan Temple. I don’t really know much about it, except that it’s an awesome neato tree. (shrug)
Look at that tree! Look at it! It's treeing all over the place! GINKGO GINK GO! I got nothin'. There was one more bonus tree at this location, too...
I try to show you my Japan. Won’t you show us your Japan?
Let’s meet again on that day.
Pigeon! What are you doing in school? You are a pigeon! You can't even read...
