Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Chasing the Sacred Trees of Okinawa and Tracing the Roots

Another Great Find Today

 

 

It would be nice, to make a new discovery each week.

There's a list containing over 100 locations, I'm using, to document them.

Finding special trees is one thing, photographing them in good light, is another.


Great Akagi (Bishop Wood) of Kinjo in Shuri

 

 

Latin Name: Bischofia javanica

 

These huge trees are located off the cobblestone trail leading to Shuri Castle.

Not just one but, six of them, are in this jungle-like, sacred grove.

During the Battle of Okinawa, all the Akagi trees within Shuri Castle, were destroyed.

Those, located in this Ugan (place of worship) survived the war.


People come to pray and make offerings.

Only one tree, has a golden statue in a hollowed portion at the base of the trunk.

This tree is a National Natural Monument.



Standing below and, looking up, I shot the top of the tree.

Next time, I'll bring a wide angle lens, to photograph the entire tree for my collection.

Meanwhile, check this video out:









Digging Up the Historical and Cultural Facts 

 

 

When I research these types of things, I check as many resources, as possible.

Talking to neighboors, town drunks or, what I call sundials, is fun, sometimes.

But, I was trained, to give people, verifiable facts.

These trees, are going to take awhile.

Here's why:


GUIDEGECKO,  mentions there are ghosts in the vicinity.

MIDORIHANA, has some legend, "Demon's Rice Cake" about the place.

OKINAWA CLIP, Says the place is mystical and, you should make wishes there.

OKINAWA TRAVELER, Lists a phone number and gives a map.

They only show a photo of one tree.

 If you call, will it answer ?

 I wonder.










 



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