Sugi (Japanese cedar) - Japanese cedar

Japanese: スギ（杉） - すぎ（英語表記）Japanese cedar

A large evergreen tree of the family Cupressaceae (classification based on molecular phylogeny: Cupressaceae). It is endemic to Japan, and a variant, C. japonica var. sinensis Sieb. ( C. fortunei Hooibrenk), exists in China. In Japan, the character "sugi" is usually used to refer to this species, but the Chinese character "sugi" does not refer to this species, but to Chinese fir (also known as Dutch fir), which is also in the family Cupressaceae. The Chinese word for Japanese cedar is Nihon yanagisugi. The trunk grows straight, and the giant ones can reach a height of 68 meters and a diameter of 7 meters. The branches and leaves grow densely, forming a conical tree shape, and in old trees, they become circular. The bark is reddish brown, splits vertically, and falls off in thin, long strips. The leaves are small, sickle-shaped, arranged in a spiral, and are persistent, not falling off even when the tree dies. The leaf cross section is long and diamond-shaped, with one resin groove near the center, located below the vascular bundle. There are stomata on all four sides. It is monoecious and blooms in March and April. Male flowers grow in clusters in the axils at the end of the previous year's twigs, are yellow and elliptical, 5-8 mm long. Female flowers grow one at a time at the end of the previous year's twigs, facing downward, are green and spherical, 4.5-5 mm long. The cones are woody, egg-shaped, 2-3 cm long. They are green at first, but mature around October of the same year, dehiscing and turning brown. The lower halves of the seed scales and the bract scales are fused, the upper ends of the bract scales are triangular and slightly recurved, and the upper ends of the seed scales are 4-6 fang-like. The seeds are borne on the stem of the seed scale, 2-6 in number, oblanceolate with narrow wings on both sides. There are 2-3 cotyledons, rarely 4. The number of chromosomes is n = 11, 2n = 22.

Cedar pollen has been a hot topic in recent years as it is believed to be a cause of allergic rhinitis.

[Yayoi Hayashi, June 19, 2018]

kinds

Japanese cedars vary greatly depending on where they grow, in terms of the color and splitting of their bark, the shape of the tree, the angle at which the branches grow, and the color, shape, length, and curvature of their leaves. Japanese cedars are classified as Urasugishi (back cedars) and Omotesugi (front cedars) depending on where they grow. Urasugishi is a general term for cedars that grow on the Sea of Japan side, known as the back side of Japan, while Omotesugi is a general term for cedars that grow on the Pacific side, known as the front side of Japan. The representative species of Urasugishi is Ashiosugi (Ashio cedar). This is a variety that grows mainly in areas with heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side, and was named by Nakai Takenoshin for cedars that grow wild in the mountains of Ashio in Kyoto Prefecture. The bark is reddish brown and splits vertically, and is fibrous and peels off in long, thin strips. The branches and leaves grow densely, forming a narrow, conical crown, but stunted trees become slightly circular. The leaves are small and sickle-shaped, opening at a narrow angle. The cones have short appendages and appear round. The lower branches do not die, but hang down and crawl along the ground, later forming new stumps. They grow vigorously, producing small branches vigorously from the twigs and sprouting from stumps. This Ashiosugi has characteristics common not only to cedars used for reed production, but also to Urasugi in general. Kitayamadaisugi, famous for being used for polishing logs and as a garden tree, is a forestry variety selectively bred from Ashiosugi.

Omotesugi is a basic type of cedar that grows naturally on the Pacific coast and is widely planted; among these, the cedars that grow naturally on Yakushima have long, wide needles with sharp tips and a very complex grain. These are generally called Yakusugi (Yakusugi), but on Yakushima only large trees that are over 1000 years old are called Yakusugi, and smaller trees are called Kosugi (Kosugi). The most representative Yakusugi are Jomonsugi (Jomon Cedar) and Daiousugi (Daiousugi), and recent detailed surveys have estimated that both are over 3000 to 3500 years old. There is also a theory that they are over 7000 years old, but this is doubtful.

[Yayoi Hayashi, June 19, 2018]

Varieties

There are many specialized varieties of cedar for different purposes, such as horticulture and forestry.

There are over a dozen horticultural varieties, but the main ones are as follows: Enkou Sugi (Monkey Cedar) has many branches that grow significantly and alternate between long and short needles, resembling the arms of a gibbon. Yoresugi (Twisted Cedar) has curved, pointed leaves that wrap tightly around the branches in a spiral, and Yawarasugi (Soft Cedar) has thin, soft leaves. Muresugi (Crowded Cedar) has many branches that grow from the base and grow in a clump, and Ikarisugi (Anchor Cedar) has long, curved branches and small, short leaves. Sekkasugi (Petroleum Cedar) has band-shaped branches, Ogonsugi (Golden Cedar) has young leaves that are golden in color, and Midorisugi (Green Cedar) has leaves that are green even in winter. Chabosugi (Dwarf Cedar) has short, dense branches and a semicircular crown. Mankichisugi (Mankichi cedar) has dense branches and extremely strong, spreading, sharply pointed leaves. Shidaresugi (Weeping cedar) has thin, drooping branches. Furisugi (Variegated cedar) is dwarf with yellow-white spots on the leaves.

Forestry varieties are broadly divided into those grown from seed and those grown from cuttings taken from natural forests. There are specific varieties grown from seed in each region, including Akita cedar, Shisousugi (Shiso cedar), Hourai cedar, Yoshino cedar, Tateyama cedar, Hakusan cedar, and Yanase cedar. Those grown from cuttings include Itoshiro cedar, Endo cedar, Okinoyama cedar, Kuma cedar, and Hachiro cedar.

Additionally, some forestry varieties are planted for specific purposes, such as Obiaka (Obi red), Honjiro (Honjiro), Sanbusugi (Sanbu cedar), Honsugi (Honsugi), Ayasugi (Aya cedar), Aosugi (Blue cedar), Yabukuguri (Bush hiding), Urasebaru (Urasehara), Measatomisugi (Measatomi cedar) and Bokasugi (Bokasugi).

[Yayoi Hayashi, June 19, 2018]

distribution

Since Japanese cedars have been planted since ancient times, it is difficult to determine their exact native habitat, but their natural distribution in Japan is limited to Yagurayama in Nishitsugaru County, Aomori Prefecture, and they are widely distributed from Honshu to Kyushu, with Yakushima Island in Kyushu as their southern limit. In particular, there are natural forests in the form of pure stands in the Yanase region of Akita Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture. Yakushima is famous for its vast natural forests and giant trees that are said to be over 3,000 years old. The vertical distribution of Japanese cedars is 0 to 2,050 meters above sea level in Honshu, 300 to 1,400 meters above sea level in Shikoku, and 300 to 1,850 meters above sea level in Kyushu. The lowest natural habitat is 0 meters above sea level on Ukishima Island in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, and the highest natural habitat is 2,050 meters above sea level on Nekomatayama in Toyama Prefecture. Currently, it is widely planted in Hokkaido south of Abashiri and Rumoi, Honshu, the Izu Islands, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, the Korean Peninsula, mainland China, Taiwan, and the Himalayan region, and outside of Japan, it is said to grow best in the Himalayan region. It is also planted and grown in botanical gardens in Europe, Hawaii, North America, New Zealand, and other places.

[Yayoi Hayashi, June 19, 2018]

Cultivation

It is propagated by seeds and cuttings, but nationwide, about 75% of seedlings planted from fields to mountains are seedlings, and about 25% are cuttings. In the case of afforestation, the standard is generally 3,000 plants per hectare, but this varies depending on production goals. The best place to grow it is in a valley with an average annual temperature of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius, an annual precipitation of 3,000 mm or more, and fertile soil with a little moisture, such as sandy loam or clayey loam. In terms of soil type, it grows best in moist brown forest soil. It is also a sun-loving tree (it grows well in full sun), so it is best to expose it to 70 to 80% of the total light. It is vulnerable to snow and wind damage and often suffers great damage, so it is necessary to carry out thinning and pruning from a young age, as well as to protect the forest edge sufficiently. Pests and diseases include cedar spider mites, cedar leaf beetles, cedar moths, cedar gall midges, cedar wood gall midges, and cedar longhorn beetles, as well as diseases such as red wilt, branch dieback, canker, and heart rot.

[Yayoi Hayashi, June 19, 2018]

use

Cedar accounts for 75% of timber use in Japan, making it the most useful tree species in Japan. The boundary between sapwood and heartwood is clear, with the sapwood being white and the heartwood being pale pink or dark reddish brown, although some are tinged blackish brown. The grain is clear and it has a distinctive fragrance. It dries quickly and has great splitting ability, making it easy to cut and otherwise process. It has a very wide range of uses, including in architecture, civil engineering, utility poles, ships, machinery, boxes, pails, barrels, tools, and wooden clogs. It is also widely used as a forest, and is widely planted in gardens, tree-lined streets, and temple and shrine forests.

Japanese cedars are the longest-lived trees, and the largest ones are designated as natural monuments and protected. Some famous ones are designated as special natural monuments: the "Japanese cedar avenue of Mt. Haguro" in Higashitagawa-gun, Yamagata Prefecture, the "Nikko Cedar-lined Highway" in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, the "Osugi" at Yasaka Shrine in Ootoyo-cho, Nagaoka-gun, Kochi Prefecture, the "Itoshiro Japanese cedars" in Itoshiro, Shirotori-cho, Gujo-shi, Gifu Prefecture, and the "Yakushima Japanese cedar primeval forest" in Kumage-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture.

[Yayoi Hayashi, June 19, 2018]

Folklore

Along with pine, cedar is one of Japan's most representative trees, and is widely used as a building material, and has been used since ancient times as ship material. It is also widely used as a material for crafts, and Yoshino cedar, which is used to make tarumaru (sake barrels), is well known. A unique custom seen in various places is to hang a round bunch of cedar leaves on the eaves as a sign of a sake brewery. There are many examples of cedars being considered sacred trees throughout the country, and a famous one from ancient times is the "Lucky Cedar" on Inariyama in Kyoto. It is said that if you uproot a cedar tree from Inariyama, take it home, and plant it in the ground to revive it, you will be blessed with good fortune, but if it withers, you will lose good fortune. The cedars of Mt. Miwa in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, are famous for being sung about in the Manyoshu and Kokinshu, but other well-known trees include the Ioe cedar of Toyouke Daijingu Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, the Ayasugi cedar of Kashii Shrine in Fukuoka City, and the sacred cedar of Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture.

There are many legends about Japanese cedars, but there are "Yatatesugi" (arrowheads) that can be found all over Japan, where old arrowheads are said to have appeared from the trunks of trees where military commanders shot arrows. The one in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, is said to be from when Fujiwara Hidehira shot an old cedar by the roadside to celebrate his departure and blessing his future when he went to Kyoto, while the cedar in Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is said to be from when Minamoto no Yoritomo shot an arrow during the Makigari hunting event at Fuji.

In ancient Japan, there was a belief that on the 33rd anniversary of a person's death, a ceremony called "Tomuraiage" took place, and that after that the Buddha would become a god. At that time, there was a custom of placing small cedar branches in the grave, called a cedar sotoba or uretsuki toba.

[Tokihiko Oto, June 19, 2018]

literature

It is said to be a sacred tree in the Man'yoshu, and is found in poems such as "Was it a sin to touch the cedar of Miwa, the blessing of Miwa, with the sake? I cannot meet you" (Volume 4, Taniwa no Oomeotome) of Miwa Shrine, and "I, the god of cedars of Isonokamifuru, have been my lover" (Volume 10, author unknown) of Isonokamifuru Shrine. In the Heian period, the poem "My hut is at the foot of Mount Miwa, and I long to wander about the gate of the cedars" (Zatsuge, unknown author) in the Kokinshu became well known, and it became associated with the divine marriage tale of Miwa Myojin and was passed down as a song about Myojin. The cedars at Inari Shrine in Fushimi are also famous for bringing happiness (a fragment from the Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki), and the "sign of cedar" appears in the Dragonfly Diary and Sarashina Nikki. They were also used for wooden roofs, and came to describe shabby houses, as in the poem "If only the cedar boards did not leave the floor, I would lie down and sleep" (Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Love 2, Collected Works, Love Collection).

[Teruhiko Komachiya June 19, 2018]

Japanese cedar
It is the most useful tree species in Japan. It is often used as a forest, and is widely planted in gardens and along rows of trees. The photo shows a plantation of Ashiosugi. Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Japanese cedar

Male flowers of Japanese cedar
They grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves at the end of the previous year's twigs, and are oval shaped and 5-8 mm long. ©Seishohmaru

Male flowers of Japanese cedar

Cedar cones
Woody and ovoid. Green at first, matures around October, splitting open to reveal winged seeds. 2-3cm long. ©Seishohmaru ">

Cedar cones

Cedar flower (morphology)
©Yuichi Kadota ">

Cedar flower (morphology)

Cedar, metasequoia (tree form)
©Junzo Fujishima ">

Cedar, metasequoia (tree form)

Cedar Tree Line of Mount Haguro
The 1.7km long approach to the mountain is lined with cedar trees, some of which number more than 400 and are said to be hundreds of years old. Nationally designated special natural monument. Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture ©Yamagata Prefecture ">

Cedar Tree Line of Mount Haguro

Nikko Cedar Avenue
In the early Edo period, after the completion of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Matsudaira Masatsuna ordered cedar seedlings from Kumano in Kishu and planted them. Approximately 13,000 cedar trees planted at that time remain. Nationally designated special historic site Nationally designated special natural monument Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture © Nikko City Tourism Association ">

Nikko Cedar Avenue

Jomon Cedar in Yakushima Cedar Primeval Forest
Yakushima National Park. Part of the World Natural Heritage Site "Yakushima" (registered in 1993) Nationally designated special natural monument Yakushima Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture © Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Federation ">

Jomon Cedar in Yakushima Cedar Primeval Forest

Ikarisugi
A horticultural variety. The branches are long and curved, and the leaves are small and short. ©Shogakukan ">

Ikarisugi

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

スギ科（分子系統に基づく分類：ヒノキ科）の常緑大高木。日本の特産種で、中国には変種の柳杉C. japonica var. sinensis Sieb.（C. fortunei Hooibrenk）がある。日本では本種に通常「杉」の字をあてるが、中国語の「杉」は本種ではなく、同じくスギ科のコウヨウザン（別名オランダモミ）をさしている。日本のスギに該当する中国語は日本柳杉である。幹はまっすぐに伸び、巨大なものは高さ68メートル、径7メートルに達する。枝や葉は密につき、円錐(えんすい)形の樹形をつくり、老樹では円形となる。樹皮は赤褐色で、縦に割れ、細長い薄片となって、はげ落ちる。葉は小形の鎌状(かまじょう)針形で螺旋(らせん)状に配列し、永続性で枯死しても脱落することはない。葉の横断面は長い菱(ひし)形をなし、樹脂溝は1個で中央に近く、維管束の下側に位置する。四面に気孔がある。雌雄同株で3～4月、開花する。雄花は前年の小枝の先の葉腋(ようえき)に穂状に集まってつき、黄色で楕円(だえん)形、長さ5～8ミリメートル。雌花は前年の小枝の先に1個ずつ下向きにつき、緑色で球形をなし、長さ4.5～5ミリメートル。球果は木質で卵状球形、長さ2～3センチメートル。初め緑色であるが、その年の10月ころ成熟し、裂開して褐色となる。種鱗(しゅりん)と包鱗は下半部が合着し、包鱗の上端は三角状でやや反曲し、種鱗の上端は4～6個の牙歯(がし)状をなす。種子は種鱗の茎部に2～6個つき、倒披針(とうひしん)形で両側に狭い翼がある。子葉は2～3枚、まれに4枚。染色体数はn＝11、2n＝22。

　なお、スギの花粉は、アレルギー性鼻炎の原因であるとして、近年話題になっている。

［林　弥栄　2018年6月19日］

種類

スギは、樹皮の色や裂け方、樹形、枝の出る角度、葉の色・形・長さ・曲がり方などが、生育地によって変異が多い。日本のスギは生育地によってウラスギ（裏杉）とオモテスギ（表杉）とに分類される。ウラスギは日本海側いわゆる裏日本型のスギの総称で、オモテスギは太平洋側いわゆる表日本型のスギの総称である。ウラスギの代表種はアシオスギ（芦生杉(あしおすぎ)）である。これはおもに日本海側の多雪地帯に自生する変種で、中井猛之進(なかいたけのしん)が京都府下の芦生の山中に自生するスギに命名したものである。樹皮は赤褐色で縦に長く裂け、繊維質で細長く剥離(はくり)する。枝葉は密生し、狭い円錐形の樹冠をなすが、成長の衰えたものはやや円形となる。葉は小形の鎌状針形をなし、開く角度が狭い。球果は付属片は短く、丸くみえる。下枝は枯れ上がらず、下垂して地をはい、のち新しい株を形成する。成長力が旺盛(おうせい)で、小枝から盛んに小枝を出し、切り株からも萌芽(ほうが)する。このアシオスギは芦生産のスギのみでなく、ウラスギ一般に共通する特徴をもっている。磨(みがき)丸太や庭木用として有名なキタヤマダイスギ（北山台杉）はアシオスギから選抜育種された林業品種である。

　オモテスギは太平洋側に自生し、また広く植林されている基本形のスギで、このなかで、屋久島(やくしま)に自生するスギは、針葉は長く、幅も広く、先が鋭くとがり、また材の木目が非常に複雑となる性質がある。これは一般にヤクスギ（屋久杉）と称しているが、屋久島では樹齢約1000年以上の大木のみをヤクスギ、それ以下の小さいものをコスギ（小杉）と称している。ヤクスギの代表的なものはジョウモンスギ（縄文杉）とダイオウスギ（大王杉）で、最近の精密な調査の結果、いずれも樹齢3000～3500年以上と推定された。7000年以上とする説もあるが、これは疑わしい。

［林　弥栄　2018年6月19日］

品種

スギは園芸用や林業用など利用目的によってそれぞれ特別な品種が数多くある。

　園芸用の品種は十数種あるが、おもなものは以下のとおりである。エンコウスギ（猿猴杉）は、枝は多数出て著しく伸長し、長い針葉と短い針葉を交互に生じ、そのようすがテナガザルの腕に似る。ヨレスギ（縒杉）は葉が湾曲してとがり、枝の周囲に螺旋状に密に巻き付き、ヤワラスギ（柔杉）は葉は細長くて柔らかい。ムレスギ（叢杉）は枝が根元から多数出て叢生(そうせい)し、イカリスギ（錨杉）は枝が長く、屈曲し、葉が小さくて短い。セッカスギ（石化杉）は枝が帯状になり、オウゴンスギ（黄金杉）は若葉が黄金(こがね)色を呈し、ミドリスギ（緑杉）は葉が冬でも緑色である。チャボスギ（矮鶏杉）は枝葉が短小で密生し、樹冠が半円形となる。マンキチスギ（万吉杉）は枝が密生し、葉が著しく剛強で開き、鋭くとがる。シダレスギ（枝垂杉）は枝が細長く、下垂する。フイリスギ（斑入杉）は矮性(わいせい)で、葉に黄白色の斑(ふ)が入る。

　林業用品種は、実生(みしょう)でつくられたものと、天然林からの挿木によってつくられたものとに大別される。実生によるものは各地方別に特定の品種があり、アシオスギやヤクスギのほか、アキタスギ（秋田杉）、シソウスギ（宍粟杉）、ホウライスギ（鳳来杉）、ヨシノスギ（吉野杉）、タテヤマスギ（立山杉）、ハクサンスギ（白山杉）、ヤナセスギ（魚梁瀬杉）などがある。挿木によるものとしては、イトシロスギ（石徹白杉）、エンドウスギ（遠藤杉）、オキノヤマスギ（沖ノ山杉）、クマスギ（熊杉）、ハチロウスギ（八郎杉）などがある。

　また林業品種のなかには、特定の利用目的に沿って造林されるものがあり、オビアカ（飫肥赤）、ホンジロ（本白）、サンブスギ（山武杉）、ホンスギ（本杉）、アヤスギ（綾杉）、アオスギ（青杉）、ヤブクグリ（藪潜）、ウラセバル（裏瀬原）、メアサトミスギ（芽浅富杉）、ボカスギ（暈杉）などがある。

［林　弥栄　2018年6月19日］

分布

スギは古い時代から植林されていたので厳密な意味での自生地は決めにくいが、日本における天然分布は、青森県西津軽郡矢倉山を北限地とし、本州から九州に広く分布し、九州の屋久島を南限地とする。とくに秋田県や高知県の魚梁瀬(やなせ)地方には純林状の天然林がある。屋久島には広大な天然林と樹齢3000年以上といわれる巨樹があるので有名である。スギの垂直分布は、本州では海抜0～2050メートル、四国では海抜300～1400メートル、九州では海抜300～1850メートルである。天然生育地の最低は和歌山県新宮(しんぐう)市浮島の海抜0メートルであり、天然生育地の最高は富山県猫又山(ねこまたやま)の海抜2050メートルである。現在、網走(あばしり)、留萌(るもい)両地方以南の北海道、本州、伊豆七島、四国、九州、沖縄、および朝鮮半島、中国大陸、台湾からヒマラヤ地方まで広く植栽され、日本を除くとヒマラヤ地方がもっとも生育がよいといわれる。そのほかヨーロッパ、ハワイ、北アメリカ、ニュージーランドなどの植物園などに植えられ、育っている。

［林　弥栄　2018年6月19日］

栽培

繁殖は実生と挿木によるが、畑から山に植える苗は、全国的にみて75％くらいが実生苗で、25％くらいが挿木苗である。植林の場合、一般には1ヘクタール当り3000本植えが標準とされているが、生産の目標などによって相違がある。最適地は年平均気温12～14℃、年降水量3000ミリメートル以上の谷あいで、土壌はやや湿気の多い肥沃(ひよく)な砂質壌土、または埴質(しょくしつ)壌土がよい。土壌形からみると、湿潤性褐色森林土でもっとも生育がよい。また陽樹（日当りでよく育つ）であるので、全光線の70～80％が当たるようにするのが最適である。雪害や風害に弱く大きな被害を被ることが多いので、幼時から除伐や間伐、また枝打ちを施すとともに林縁の保護を十分しなくてはならない。病害虫には、スギノハダニ、スギハムシ、スギメムシガ、スギタマバエ、スギザイノタマバエ、スギカミキリなどの害虫や、赤枯病、枝枯病、癌腫(がんしゅ)病、心腐(しんぐされ)病などの病気がある。

［林　弥栄　2018年6月19日］

利用

スギは日本における木材利用の75％を占めるほどで、日本におけるもっとも有用な樹種である。材は辺材と心材の境界が明らかで、辺材は白色、心材は淡紅色または暗赤褐色で、黒褐色を帯びるものもある。木目はよく通り、特有の香りがある。乾燥は速く、割裂性は大で、切削その他の加工は容易である。用途は非常に広く、建築、土木、電柱、船舶、機械、箱、桶(おけ)、樽(たる)、器具、下駄(げた)などに用いる。樹林としての利用も多く、庭園樹、並木、寺社林などに広く植えられている。

　スギはもっとも寿命の長い樹木で、大きいものは天然記念物に指定、保護されている。山形県東田川郡の「羽黒山(はぐろさん)のスギ並木」、栃木県日光市の「日光杉並木街道」、高知県長岡郡大豊(おおとよ)町八坂神社の「杉の大スギ」、岐阜県郡上(ぐじょう)市白鳥町石徹白(いとしろ)の「石徹白のスギ」、鹿児島県熊毛郡の「屋久島スギ原始林」などは著名で、特別天然記念物に指定されている。

［林　弥栄　2018年6月19日］

民俗

マツとともに日本の代表的な樹木であるスギは、建築用材として広く用いられるほか、古代から船材として利用されていた。工芸用材としての用途も広く、樽丸(たるまる)（酒樽の用材）に用いられる吉野杉はよく知られている。変わったものでは造酒屋(つくりざかや)のしるしとして、杉の葉を丸く集めたものを軒先に掲げる風習が各地にみられる。スギを神木とする例は全国を通じて多く、古来有名なものに京都市稲荷山(いなりやま)の「験(しるし)の杉」がある。稲荷山の杉の木を抜いて家に持ち帰り、それを植えて地に蘇生(そせい)すれば福を得、反対に枯れれば福がないという。奈良県桜井市の三輪山(みわやま)の杉は『万葉集』や『古今集』に歌われて有名だが、このほか三重県伊勢(いせ)市の豊受大神宮(とようけだいじんぐう)の五百枝(いおえ)の杉、福岡市香椎宮(かしいぐう)の綾杉(あやすぎ)、茨城県の鹿島神宮(かしまじんぐう)の神木杉なども知られている。

　スギについての伝説はいろいろあるが、武将が矢を射立てたスギの幹から古鏃(こやじり)が出てくるという「矢立杉」が各地にみられる。宮城県名取市のものは、藤原秀衡(ふじわらのひでひら)が上洛(じょうらく)のおり、門出を祝して路傍の古杉を射、前途を祝したといい、山梨県大月市の杉は、源頼朝(みなもとのよりとも)が富士の巻狩(まきがり)のときに放った矢が当たったものという。

　古来日本では、人の死後三十三回忌に「弔(とむら)い上げ」といって、それ以後仏は神になるという信仰があり、そのとき墓地に杉卒塔婆(そとば)または梢付塔婆(うれつきとうば)といって、スギの小枝を立てる風習がある。

［大藤時彦　2018年6月19日］

文学

神木として『万葉集』から詠まれ、三輪(みわ)神社の「味酒(うまさけ)を三輪の祝(はふり)がいはふ杉手触(てふ)れし罪か君に逢(あ)ひがたき」（巻4・丹波大女娘子(たにわのおおめおとめ)）、石上布留(いそのかみふる)神社の「石上布留の神杉神(かむすぎかむ)びにし我(あれ)やさらさら恋に逢ひにける」（巻10・作者未詳）などとある。平安時代に入って、『古今集』の「我が庵(いほ)は三輪の山もと恋しくはとぶらひ来ませ杉立てる門」（雑下・よみ人しらず）がよく知られ、三輪明神の神婚説話と結び付いて明神の歌と伝承されるようになった。伏見(ふしみ)の稲荷(いなり)神社の杉も幸福をもたらすものとして有名で（『山城国風土記(やましろのくにふどき)』逸文）、『蜻蛉日記(かげろうにっき)』や『更級日記(さらしなにっき)』にも「しるしの杉」が現れる。板屋根にも用いられ、「杉板もて葺(ふ)ける板間のあはざらばいかにせむとて我寝そめけむ」（『拾遺集』恋2・柿本人麻呂(かきのもとのひとまろ)）のように、粗末な家の形容となった。

［小町谷照彦　2018年6月19日］