Matsue: where spirits loved by Yakumo Koizumi live

[AsahinaKimi]

Yoshiharu Fujiwara / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer



MATSUE--I walked along a path around rice fields under a clear blue sky and entered the thick woods to see "Sudaji tree at Shitabi Shrine," one of the nation's largest chinquapin trees, in Yakumocho, Matsue. As I approached the tree, whose trunk is 11. 4 meters in circumference at the base, it suddenly became dark.

The 18-meter-tall tree features nine thick spreading branches. The branches spread for about 20 meters from east to west and about 33 meters from north to south. As I looked up, I felt like I was being enveloped by an enormous presence. It is believed that Kojin, a guardian deity of the locals, lives inside the tree.

Last month, the first party of the Mystery Ghost Tour, which is organized by nonprofit organization Matsue Tourism Kenkyukai, visited the tree.

According to tour leader Bon Koizumi, the Mystery Ghost Tour visits various locations by bus in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture where people can experience the feeling of awe before nature or at sites where mysterious legends are passed down and animate the surroundings.

more..
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/culture/T110614004594.htm

[xchrom]

1. Recommend