Sacred tree

In the broad sense, a tree that is considered sacred. Generally, it is found in the precincts of shrines, and is worshipped with shimenawa (sacred ropes). Most of them are evergreens such as pine, cedar, and cypress, and many of them are large. The idea of ​​sacred trees can be said to be based on the Japanese idea of ​​worshiping green trees. In some places, even if the tree is not large, it is considered sacred when its location and shape are conspicuously different from other trees, such as "a three-forked tree on the peak, a two-forked tree in the valley." In the Tohoku region, such oddly shaped trees are considered sacred as play trees for the mountain god and trees where Tengu (long-nosed goblin) live. In the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, large trees that have a single base but split into two halfway are called hitoshi trees, and are considered sacred because the sun can be seen through them. Other trees that are revered as being inhabited by divine spirits include the Yatate cedar, the Tsuetate cedar and Yogo pine trees of high priests such as Kobo Daishi (Kukai) and Nichiren Shonin, and the ginkgo tree that is said to have raised children. Trees that make sounds, such as those that are said to make the sound of drums at certain times of the year, are believed to be sacred trees, and are believed to be the descent of gods. The Japanese idea of ​​sacred trees is the basis of the custom of erecting a tree for annual events and festivals for the local guardian deity, such as the Kadomatsu, Bon Festival lantern pine, and Hashiramatsu, and to perform religious rites. In addition, at the end of the Heian period and into the Middle Ages, there was a practice known as Juraku, in which warrior monks from Kofuku-ji Temple in Nara would make a strong appeal to the Imperial Court, presenting a sacred sakaki tree, which they believed to be the object of worship at Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

[Kamata Hisako]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

広義には神聖視されている樹木。一般には神社の境内などにあって、注連縄(しめなわ)などを張り巡らし、崇敬されている樹木。松、杉、檜(ひのき)などの常緑樹が多く、大木が多い。神木思想の根底には、日本人の緑樹崇拝の思想があるといえよう。大木ではないが、「峰の三つまた、谷の二又の木」などといって、存在地点・形態が際だって他の樹木と異なって目だつとき、これを神木としている所もある。東北地方では、このような異形の木を、山の神の遊び木、天狗(てんぐ)の住んでいる木として神聖視している。静岡県西部地方では、根元は1本で途中から二又に分かれている大木を、ヒトオシの木とよび、そこを通して太陽が見えるといって、神木としている。そのほか各地に伝承される矢立(やたて)杉、弘法(こうぼう)大師（空海）や日蓮上人(にちれんしょうにん)などの高僧の杖立(つえたて)杉や影向(ようごう)の松、子供を育てたという乳母銀杏(うばいちょう)など、いずれも神霊の宿る木として崇(あが)められているものである。ある時期、太鼓の音がするという音の出る木なども、他の樹木と異なり、神の依代(よりしろ)として、神降臨のあることを信じたものである。日本人の神木思想は、門松(かどまつ)や盆の灯籠(とうろう)松、柱松などのように、年中行事や氏神の祭りに1本の木を立てて神事を行う習俗の基盤となっているものである。また、神木入洛(じゅらく)といって、平安末期・中世には、奈良の興福寺僧兵が、春日(かすが)大社の神体になぞらえた榊(さかき)の神木を奉じて朝廷に強訴したりした。

［鎌田久子］

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