July 22nd – July 27th, 2024 is Summer – Start of TAISHO (Greater heat)-34th KOU “KIRI (paulownia) trees produce buds.”
KIRI trees and flowers are considered sacred trees and are often used in the design of coats of arms and family crests. Incidentally, the “GOSHICHI-NO-KIRI” design is used as the symbol of the Japanese government. On the other hand, KIRI is popular for everyday items such as chests and wooden clogs, and is familiar to the general public.
SAKAE Village in NAGANO Prefecture is known for producing KIRI wooden clogs. The annual rings of KIRI trees become denser and more beautiful if they grow in more extreme the temperature difference. Actually, SAKAE Village is an area that receives particularly heavy snowfall even in SHINSHU Region. It makes sense that the KIRI industry is making good use of the region’s environment.
There is an old but magnificent KIRI tree on my walking route. Its flowers were in full bloom in early May, and soon after they started to bear fruit. At this time of year, the tree is forming buds, already preparing next year’s flowers.
There are still 10 months until these buds bloom next year. May they safely get through heavy seasons coming, the 34th KOU “TAISHO (great heat)” season in summer and the 61st KOU “greater snow” season in winter.
