Sakaki

Japanese: 榊 - さかき

[1] (meaning "prosperous tree")① A general term for evergreen trees. It is often used to refer to trees used in Shinto rituals. ※Kojiki (712), Vol. 1: "The five hundred true wise trees of Ame -no- kayama have been cultivated to the roots of the nekoji ni kojite. " ※Genji (c. 1001-14), Aoi: "As the Saigū is still in the main palace, I will take care of the sakaki."② An evergreen tree of the Theaceae family. It grows in the mountainous areas west of central Honshu, and is often planted in the precincts of shrines. It can reach a height of about 10 meters. The leaves are alternate, leathery, glossy, oblong-ovate, about 8 centimeters long, with stalks. The tips are pointed but not sharp. In early summer, one to three small yellowish-white five-petaled flowers hang downward from the leaf axils. The fruit is spherical, about one centimeter in diameter, and ripens to a purple-black color. It has been considered a sacred tree since ancient times, and its branches and leaves are offered to altars. The wood is dense and hard, and is used for construction and utensils. The Chinese name for this tree is Yangtong, but this is a misuse. ▼ Sakaki Flowers (Season: Summer) ※Mugonsho (1598), Volume 2, "Sakaki Miscellaneous" [2] (Sakaki Wise Tree, Sakaki Tree) The title of the 10th chapter of "The Tale of Genji". From September when Hikaru Genji is 23 years old to the summer when he is 25 years old. It describes events such as Lady Rokujo's journey to Ise, the death of Emperor Kiritsubo, Fujitsubo's entry into the world as a nun, and Genji being found secretly meeting her on a hazy moonlit night, leading to the plot to banish him.

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

[1] (「栄える木」の意)① 常緑樹の総称。特に神事に用いる樹をさす場合が多い。※古事記（712）上「天香山の五百(いほ)つ真(ま)賢木(さかき)を根許士爾許士(ねこじにこじ)て」※源氏（1001‐14頃）葵「斎宮の、まだ本の宮におはしませば、さかきのはばかりにことつけて」② ツバキ科の常緑小高木。本州中部以西の山地に生え、神社の境内などに多く植えられる。高さは約一〇メートルに達する。葉は互生し、柄をもち革質で光沢があり、長さ約八センチメートルの長楕円状倒卵形。先は突き出すがとがらない。初夏、葉腋に小さな黄白色の五弁花を一～三個下向きにつける。果実は径約一センチメートルの球形で紫黒色に熟す。古くから神木とされ、枝、葉を神前に供える。材は緻密で堅く建築、器具用。漢名に楊桐を当てるが誤用。▼さかきの花《季・夏》※無言抄（1598）下「榊雑也」[2] (賢木・榊) 「源氏物語」第一〇帖の巻名。光源氏二三歳の九月から二五歳の夏まで。六条御息所の伊勢下向、桐壺帝の崩御、藤壺の出家、源氏がひそかに朧月夜に逢ったのを見つかったことから追放の画策をされるまでのことなどを描く。

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