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

Posts tagged イチョウ

The Giant Trees of Tochigi: α6 The Giant Ginkgo of Mangan Temple

Nov11
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
α6 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)

α6 Giant Ginkgo of Mangan Temple

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?

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The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

Oct21
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

The tree can be seen from quite a distance on National Road 352. Turning off that road, you are met with this view.

Number: 71
Name: Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple (壬生寺のイチョウ)
Type: Ginkgo/Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
Height: 19m
Trunk Circumference: 5.1m
Age: 400-500 years
Location: 県下都賀郡壬生町大師町 (36° 25′ 55.2138″N 139° 47′ 51.8706″)
Date of Visit: 2011-7-18

This area is called Daishi (大師), but unlike one may expect, it doesn’t refer to Kobou-daishi Kuukai (弘法大師空海), but rather to Jikaku-daishi Ennin (慈覚大師円仁). Ennin was the first monk in Japan to be granted the title “Daishi”, great teacher. This sacred place is said to be the birthplace of Ennin. On the grounds, there is a well where Ennin is said to have had his first bath as a baby. Even now, the water still flows out of a bamboo pipe. It is said that if you drink the water from this well, it will ensure an easy childbirth, and plentiful breast milk.

#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

Long ago, there was another temple here, but even then, this place was said to be the birthplace of Ennin. Ennin was born in Enryaku 13 (延暦１３年, 794CE). Though it is not clear how it transpired, centuries later in Joukyou 3 (貞享３年, 1686), the lord of Mibu Castle asked the head priest of Rinno Temple, Prince Tenshin, (who was the fifth son of Emperor Go-Sai) to have a hall with a statue of Ennin built. That hall is still around, and was added to Mibu Town’s register of Tangible Cultural Assets in 1991. But it was damaged during the earthquake of March 11, 2011, and on this day, repairs were still ongoing.

The Mibu Temple that had stood from at least 1686 was demolished in Taisho 5 (大正５年, 1916 CE) and the current building was erected.

#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

It really is a lovely tree.

This giant ginkgo, a registered natural monument, stands in the center of the temple grounds. It has been diligently pruned, so as to maintain a neat, tidy form that ginkgos rarely conform to on their own. One thinks, at first sight, that it’s a little small to be included in the prefectures natural monument list, but I suppose the set of this tree and Ennin’s birthplace give it added value.

#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

The priest was really friendly and chatty.

When I arrived, the couple that run the temple were outside, and they were glad to talk to me at length about it. They led me to the tree and told me to put my hand on a patch of bark that was lighter than the others. “This is the tree’s energy spot. You can feel its ki if you put your hand here.” I did, but I didn’t feel anything. They also pointed out some cherry trees that were planted by Edwin O. Reischauer when he visited here during his tenure as US Ambassador to Japan. Reischauer had a keen interest in the life and achievements of Ennin, so it’s natural that he would visit here.

#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

A pillar commemorating the visit by then-Ambassador E.O. Reischauer in 1964. That was the same year he was stabbed by "a disturbed youth" and contracted hepatitis from a subsequent blood transfusion. The hepatitis would kill him nearly 30 years later.

#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

These leaves have popped out just to the left of the power spot.

#71 The Giant Ginkgo of Mibu Temple

Well, what an interesting place this was! I wonder if my next stop can stack up!

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

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The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple Revisited

Sep02
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple Revisited

Number: 4
Name: The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (成願寺のイチョウ)
Type: Ginkgo
Height: 30m
Trunk Circumference: 5.9m
Age: 500 years
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市西刑部町（成願寺） (36° 29′ 56″N 139° 55′ 53″E)
Date of Original Visit: 2010-1-31
Revisited: 2011-5-25

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple Revisited

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple Revisited

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple Revisited

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

 

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The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #2 The Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi Revisited

Aug19
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#2 The Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi

There it is, peeking between two buildings. You can't hide from me, you giant tree, you!

Number: 2
Name: Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (旭町の大いちょう)
Type: Gingko
Height: 32m
Trunk Circumference: 6.2m
Age: 300+ years
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市中央１丁目 (36° 33′ 27″N 139° 52′ 57″E)
Date of Original Visit: 2010-1-31
Revisited: 2011-5-25

#2 The Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi

#2 The Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi

#2 The Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi

Lens flare! Not firebombing like this tree endured in '45.

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

 

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The Giant Trees of Tochigi: #58 The Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro

Jul08
2011 Written by Mullenkedheim
#58 Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro

At the end of a long tree-lined path, just before the shrine, we reach the Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro.

Number: 58
Name: Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro (大野室のイチョウ)
Type: Ginkgo/Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
Height: 30m
Trunk Circumference: 6.5m
Age: >300 years
Location: 栃木県大田原市寒井大野室 (36° 55′ 19″N 140° 06′ 34″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-5-21

On the right bank of the Naka River, not so far from prefectural road 34 which connects Kuroiso with Kurobane, one can find Mishima Shrine. In the long, perfectly straight avenue of cryptomeria leading to the shrine, slightly out of place, is this single Giant Ginkgo.

#58 Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro

The cryptomeria-lined avenue leads to the ginkgo, and to Mishima Shrine.

This ginkgo is considerably older than the cryptomeria that line the approach to the shrine. One can imagine that once upon a time, the scenery of the approach was quite different than it is today.

#58 Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro

This information board was erected in August 1995.

Nearby, a handwritten information board made from a slice of another giant tree can be seen. According to that sign, the shrine was established in the 2nd year of the Daidou Era (so, 807 CE). At first, Yakushinyorai (薬師如来, Bhaisajyaguru, the buddha who is able to cure all ills) was enshrined here, where he was called Wise God Mishima.

#58 Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro

A chain fence discourages people from approaching too closely.

As for the ginkgo, it is written that people used to pray here for troubles with breastfeeding, but there seems to be no explanation beyond that.

#58 Giant Ginkgo of Oonomuro

It was approaching 5pm on a mid-May day. Daylight was starting to fade, but I still had two more giant trees to find that day. Must keep moving.

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

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Giant Trees of Tochigi: #4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple

Feb05
2010 Written by Mullenkedheim

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

Number: 4
Name: The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (成願寺のイチョウ)
Type: Ginkgo
Height: 30m
Trunk Circumference: 5.9m
Age: 500 years
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市西刑部町（成願寺） (36° 29′ 56″N 139° 55′ 53″E)
Date of Visit: 2010-1-31

If you head eastward out of Utsunomiya on the new-ish National Route 121, just past the Industrial Park at Shimokuwajima-machi, on the right (south) side of the road, you will see a large Ginkgo.

Much like the Gingko, Jougan Temple is a splendid temple. These days, the temple and the grounds are undergoing improvements and work. Thought I tried to avoid it, the pylons of this work could not but find their way into some of the images.

The temple was founded in Tempyou-jingo 1 (765 CE) by Shoudou, who also founded temples in Nikko. The road the passes the gate, Municipal Road 406, has been called Jougan Temple Highway since time immemorial. This Ginkgo was surely a landmark for people walking the road.

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

#4 The Giant Ginkgo of Jougan Temple (by Mullenkedheim)

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Giant Trees of Tochigi: #2 The Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi

Feb03
2010 Written by Mullenkedheim

#2 Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (by Mullenkedheim)

Number: 2
Name: Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (旭町の大いちょう)
Type: Gingko
Height: 32m
Trunk Circumference: 6.2m
Age: 300+ years
Location: 栃木県宇都宮市中央１丁目 (36° 33′ 27″N 139° 52′ 57″E)
Date of Visit: 2010-1-31

In Utsunomiya, at the intersection of the north-south road connecting City Hall with the Prefectural Government building and Ichou-dori, on the northwest corner stands this Ginkgo tree. The elevated location where it stands is the remnant of an earthen wall that formed a boundary at Utsunomiya Castle, but as it is now quite close to the downtown core, it was mostly lost. The Ginkgo was a symbol of Utsunomiya Castle, and later, an important symbol to the people of Utsunomiya City.

On July 12, 1945, from midnight until dawn, Utsunomiya suffered an American air raid. There were many victims, and approximately half the city center was lost. In the conflagration, this Ginkgo tree, too, was a victim, burned until it was completely pitch black. Yet, in the spring after the end of the war, green buds were to be seen sprouting from the tree that was thought to be dead. This gallantly strong life force lit the fire of courage in the hearts of the people of Utsunomiya.

Since then, this Ginkgo has become a symbol of the post-war revival. In 1986, on the 90th anniversary of the incorporation of Utsunomiya City, the citizens chose the Ginkgo as the city’s official tree. Surely, they were thinking of the Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi when they made their choice.

#2 Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (by Mullenkedheim)

#2 Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (by Mullenkedheim)

#2 Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (by Mullenkedheim)

#2 Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (by Mullenkedheim)

#2 Grand Ginkgo of Asahimachi (by Mullenkedheim)

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