July 22nd – July 26th, 2024 is Summer – TAISHO (Greater heat)-34th KOU “Paulownia trees produce buds.”
Paulownia flowers bloom around May, it is before new leaves appear. Now is the time when green fruits grow larger and larger. Surprisingly, the flower buds also begin to appear at the same time. Paulownia trees are already preparing for next year’s flowers. Don’t you think it’s amazing?
It’s very smart that SHICHIJYUNIKOU Calendar has taken up this mysterious ecology of paulownia tree! Ordinary people can only worry about whether these new shoots will be able to survive the hot summers and harsh winters of the HOKUSHIN area.
Paulownia wood is light and has excellent moisture-regulating properties, so it has been widely used for commoners’ items such as chests, wooden clogs (GETA), and storage boxes. Paulownia GETA made in SAKAE Village, NAGANO Prefecture, are designated as a craft by the NAGANO Prefectural Governor.
SAKAE Village is located in the northernmost part of NAGANO Prefecture and is the area that receives the most snow. Even in such a harsh environment, the sprouts can grow well.
As mentioned above, while paulownia products have been popular among the common people, they were also favored by the nobility. Even today, it is still considered noble items, such as the coat of arms of the Japanese government.
Paulownia is a really amazing tree, isn’t it?
