Mukoroji - Mukoroji

Japanese: ムクロジ - むくろじ
Mukoroji - Mukoroji

A deciduous tall tree of the Sapindaceae family (APG classification: Sapindaceae). It grows to a height of about 10 meters. The leaves are alternate and large, odd-pinnate compound. There are 7-9 broad lanceolate leaflets, entire with a pointed tip and asymmetrical base. In summer, it produces large panicles at the ends of the branches, with many greenish-white florets. Both male and female flowers are in the same inflorescence, with 4-5 sepals and 4-5 petals. Male flowers have 8-10 stamens, and female flowers have one pistil. The fruit is spherical, about 2 cm in diameter, turns yellowish brown when ripe, and contains one spherical, hard, black seed. It grows in forests, and is distributed from the Chubu region of Honshu westward to Okinawa, as well as China, India, and the Indochina Peninsula. The name is said to have come from the mistaken use of the Chinese name for Mokugenji (another plant in the Sapindaceae family), Mokuroshi, which is pronounced Mokuroshi in Japanese, and then Mukuroji. It is widely planted in gardens and shrines.

[Kyoshio Furusawa September 17, 2020]

Cultural history

It has been known in China since before the Common Era, and its ancient name, Huan, appears in the Shanhaijing, and Guo Pu wrote that soaking the fruit in wine and drinking it would ward off evil spirits. The Kayu Honzo states that the peel is used to wash away dirt and remove freckles. It is said that in the past, shamans made sticks from the tree to kill demons, and that this is how it was said to drive away demons and eliminate illness (Meijitsu Zuko Chohen). The character 子 means seed. In Chinese medicine, the peel is called Enmeihi. It contains saponin and foams, so it was used as a detergent. The Bencao Gangmu (1596) states that it is used to remove dirt from pearls. In Japan, it was used like soap up until the Meiji era. Because the foam does not disappear easily, it is used in liquid fire extinguishers. The seeds are hard, and in China they have been used for rosary since the Tang dynasty. In Japan, they are used as shuttlecock balls during the New Year (Wakan Sansai Zue). The Kawarihanaden Hisho (1661) lists camphor trees as flowers to be arranged when returning from battle, and 'mukuroki' as an accompaniment.

[Hiroshi Yuasa September 17, 2020]

[References] | Guo Pu | Shanhai Jing | Moku Genji
Mukoroji
A deciduous tree planted in gardens, shrines, etc. ©Seishohmaru ">

Mukoroji

Mukoroji (tree shape)
©Junzo Fujishima ">

Mukoroji (tree shape)


Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

ムクロジ科(APG分類:ムクロジ科)の落葉高木。高さ約10メートルに達する。葉は互生し、大形の奇数羽状複葉。小葉は7~9枚で広披針(こうひしん)形、全縁で先はとがり、基部は左右非相称。夏、枝先に大形の円錐(えんすい)花序をつくり、緑白色を帯びた小花を多数開く。雌・雄花ともに同一花序につき、萼片(がくへん)、花弁各4、5枚。雄花は雄しべが8~10本、雌花は雌しべが1本ある。果実は球形で径約2センチメートル、熟すと黄褐色になり、中に球形で堅い、黒色の種子が1個ある。林中に生え、中部地方以西の本州から沖縄、および中国、インド、インドシナ半島に分布する。名は、モクゲンジ(ムクロジ科の別植物)の中国名である木欒子を誤ってムクロジにあてたため、木欒子の日本語読みモクロシからムクロジになったという。庭園、神社に広く植栽される。

[古澤潔夫 2020年9月17日]

文化史

中国では紀元前から知られ、無患子の古名の桓(かん)は『山海経(せんがいきょう)』にみえ、郭璞(かくはく)は、果実を酒に漬けて飲むと、邪気を防ぐと注を施した。『嘉祐本草(かゆうほんぞう)』は、果皮は垢(あか)を洗い、面(めんかん)(そばかす)をとると述べている。無患子は、昔、神巫(しんぷ)がその木でつくった棒で鬼を殺したので、鬼を追い払い、患いを無(なく)すと伝えられたからという(『植物名実図考(めいじつずこう)長編』)。子は種子の意味である。果皮を漢方では延命皮(えんめいひ)とよぶ。サポニンを含み、泡立つので、それを洗剤に使った。『本草綱目』(1596)では、真珠の汚れを落とすのに用いるとの記述がある。日本でも明治時代まで、せっけんのように使用された。泡は消えにくいので、液状の消火器に使われている。種子は堅く、中国では唐代から数珠(じゅず)に用いられていた。日本では正月の羽根突きの球(たま)にされた(『和漢三才図会』)。『替花伝秘書(かわりはなでんひしょ)』(1661)では、戦(いくさ)から帰陣のおりにいける花に、楠(くす)と添え物に「むくろ木」をあげている。

[湯浅浩史 2020年9月17日]

[参照項目] | 郭璞 | 山海経 | モクゲンジ
ムクロジ
庭園や神社などに植栽される落葉高木©Seishohmaru">

ムクロジ

ムクロジ〔樹形〕
©藤島淳三">

ムクロジ〔樹形〕


出典 小学館 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について 情報 | 凡例

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