Hello! It’s Friday which usually means there’d be a post about a tree this evening.

Problem is, I haven’t been tree-hunting since August! I’ve only just now run out of banked posts. Until I get out there again, I have no tree posts to make. Sorry!

During this (not too long) break, I’ll try to fill in some stuff that’s at least marginally interesting, though not tree-related.

So yes, my poor planning and laziness have caused the need for this break, but I do hope you’ll stick around for when the tree posts resume.

Thanks for all your support regarding the Giant Trees of Tochigi Project thus far.

Late afternoon, with rain moving in from the east, I did not have too much time here.

Number: 63
Name: The Sacred Cryptomeria of Kumano (熊野の社杉)
Type: Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica)
Height: 27m
Trunk Circumference: 6.0m
Age: 350 years
Location: 栃木県那須烏山市向田 (36° 37′ 37″N 140° 08′ 46″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-8-13

Can you imagine living as long as this tree, having the view it must have from the top?

In the days before amalgamation, Karasuyama Town had a sort of Karasuyama-themed iroha karuta game. In that game, mu was represented by this, the Sacred Cryptomeria of Kumano That Overlooks the Mukada Countryside.

If you take a stroll around the fence that encloses the tree, soon the shimenawa becomes visible. This is, indeed, a sacred tree. In front, a small shrine has been built, one assumes specifically for the kodama of this tree.

Now, home. There'll be more trees another day.

I think this place has been cared for for a very long time.

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

'twas getting on late afternoon by the time I made it here.

Number: 83
Name: The Giant Zelkova of Kitamukada (北向田のケヤキ)
Type: Japanese Zelkova (Zelkowa serrata)
Height: 32m
Trunk Circumference: 5.7m
Age: 600 years
Location: 栃木県那須郡那珂川町北向田 (36° 44′ 48″N 140° 08′ 59″E)
Date of Visit: 2011-8-13

Along National Road 293, directly west of Michi no Eki Batou, one can find Mukada Shrine. This neighbourhood is very cramped, and it’s difficult to get a car into the area where the shrine is. Luckily, the Michi no Eki has lots of parking spots, and a convenient stairway down to the level of the shrine. From the Michi no Eki, you can just make out the shape of this zelkova.

Leafy~

Heading down the steps at the southern end of the parking lot, the shrine is immediately adjacent.

Mukada Shrine was established in Tembun 11 (天文１１年, 1542). According to the information boards, this zelkova must have already been here at that time, though in a much, much younger form. It seems safe to say that the tree was not planted at the time of the shrine establishment.

Times like this I wish I had a wide-angle lens.

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