Sakura in Kakunodate
桜の由来－シダレザクラ編－
It dates back to the feudal era about 360 years ago.
There were three cherry blossom saplings among the wedding tools that Yoshiaki's wife, the second generation of the Kakunodate Satake family, brought from the Sanjo Nishi family in Kyoto when she was carrying her.
It is said that it became the "Kakunodate no Shidarezakura" that has been passed down for many years and remains to this day.
Many cherry blossoms are designated as natural monuments in Japan, but it is said that there are few weeping cherry blossoms. Of the 450 Shidarezakura , 162 are designated as national natural monuments.
The landscape of the Shidarezakura blossoms in Kakunodate was highly evaluated.
Small white and pink petals that are thinly connected to the supple branches. The cherry blossom trees hanging from both sides of the samurai residence are in perfect harmony with the charming castle town.
The splendid appearance of the 300-year-old Shidarezakura tree, which surpasses Kyo, will soothe the hearts of visitors.
Actually, there is no variety called "Shidarezakura" in cherry blossoms. It is said that "Edhiganzakura" is a weeping thing, that is, a branch that should be going up hangs down.
It seems that it is thought that the weight of the tip part increased as the cell division at the tip of the branch progressed faster, and as a result, the branch naturally turned downward. More than 90% of the cherry blossom trees on Bukeyashiki Street are weeping cherry trees, which are a variety of this "Shidarezakura".