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The Ajimano district, located on the east side of Echizen City, is said to be a place associated with Emperor Keitai, and is also known as the site of a poem in the Manyoshu (Anthology of Myriad Leaves). Ajimano Elementary School, a 10-minute drive from the Takefu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway, boasts a magnificent single cherry tree in bloom in the middle of the school yard in spring.Edohigan(Prunus pendula f. ascendens), which blooms as if to warmly watch over the children who play around energetically, is estimated to be over 150 years old, with a height of about 15 meters and a trunk circumference of about 3 meters.
This cherry tree was planted in 1905 as a memorial tree in the schoolyard of Seiga Elementary School, the predecessor of Ajimano Elementary School, and was later transplanted to its current location when the schools were integrated in 1929.The Edohigan is one of the few large cherry trees in Echizen City, and was designated as a city-designated cultural property on October 1, 1978.
“Various creatures come to these cherry blossoms. Not only insects but also birds. The woodpeckers make holes in them, which is a problem” says Hiroaki Takano, who is involved in the preservation of the cherry trees at Ajimano Elementary School.
The fact that the tree is able to bloom beautiful flowers every spring and maintain its vigorous growth is the result of the daily care and maintenance by Mr. Takano and other volunteers.For the past 17 years since the "Ajimano Elementary School Cherry Blossom Club" was established in 2003, they have been engaged in year-round preservation activities, such as pruning, fertilizing, weeding, and visits by an arborist, to keep the cherry trees in good health and to encourage the growth of young buds.
The lone cherry tree with its roots in the schoolyard attracts many people from inside and outside the city to catch a glimpse of this magnificent sight during the cherry blossom viewing season in April.Thanks to the activities of the cherry blossom club members, visitors can also enjoy a fantastic nighttime viewing of the cherry blossoms illuminated when they are in full bloom, and their efforts were featured in NHK's 「Shin Nihon Fudoki Sakura Ten no Monogatari」 (New Japan Fudoki: Ten Stories of Cherry Blossoms, broadcast in 2014).
“Every year, seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom cheers me up. I want to convey to many people the importance of protecting these cherry trees, which are a local treasure.”
The lone cherry tree in the schoolyard will continue to create memories for many people.
Text/Ai Ishihara
