Moonlit cherry blossom tree in tranquil landscape
Ethereal moonlit landscape with blossoming cherry tree in starry night.

The Sakura of Komatsunagi: Petals and Legends

Step away for a moment from the springtime cliché of Tokyo’s crowded alleys to come and admire this majestic cherry tree. A solitary guardian, perched on a small hill by the banks of the Mao River, in the Awara region (Nagano Prefecture).

Lost amidst the waving fields, under a sky unfurling with immaculate clarity, the branches of the Komatsunagi display their panache. If you seek those places where time seems to stretch out, you’ve come to the right spot!

Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)
Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)

An old branch that has lost none of its grandeur

Unperturbed, this historic “Higanzakura” cherry tree is said to be over 460 years old. Its trunk measures nearly 4.7 meters in circumference and 13 meters in height. A unique silhouette and heritage that earns it the designation of a natural monument of the prefecture.

Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)
Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)

Stroll along the rice paddy’s edge and admire the play of floral hues reflected on the water mirror, in a hypnotic dance with the rising sun or nascent twilight.

But do not be mistaken, the spectacle of the Komatsunagi cherry tree does not end with the setting sun. As night falls, it dons its luminous garb for a nocturnal blossoming that vies with the brilliance of the stars.

Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)
Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)

Komatsunagi : one Cherry Blossom, one Legend!

Its name “Komatsunagi no Sakura” is actually a nickname. If translated literally into English, it means “the cherry tree to which one ties their horse.”

Two legends then clash over the origin of his surname.

In the first story, it is told that when this region was known as Lake Nuse, Otomo no Iemochi, the governor of the province, and other residents of the area used to leave their boats here and ride horses along the mountain road leading to Shioji in Noto, tying their horses to the large trunk of this tree.

The second is linked to the famous samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune. It is said that during his frantic flight northward, it was at the foot of this very cherry blossom tree that he tethered his horse, finding momentary respite in its shade amidst a tumultuous existence (which ended badly, i.e., ritual suicide).

Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)
Komatsunagi Sakura (駒つなぎの桜)

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Graffiti whispers, Youth dance in vivid colors— Tokyo's heart beats on. グラフィティはささやき、 若者が鮮やかな色で踊る— 東京の心が打つ。 #offbeatjapan #tokyostyle #harajuku #japan #streetart #urbanvibes #fashionexpression
Crimson leaf chorus, Amber whispers in the breeze— Momijigari.---紅葉の合唱、 琥珀のささやきが風に乗る— 紅葉狩り。 ---#autumninjapan #momijigari #fallcolors #naturelovers #landscapephotography #offbeatjapan #japan
Rolling misty dreams, Blue and green whispers converge, Mountains touch the sky. ---転がる霧、 青と緑が囁く、 山は空に触れる。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #mistymountains #dreamyscapes #naturewhispers #japaneselands #hakone #nikko
Orange drum resounds, Shadows dance on glass and wood, Old meets new at dusk.  オレンジの太鼓、 ガラスと木に影が踊る、 夕暮れに古と新が出会う。  #KanazawaStation #TsuzumiMon #urbanjapan #architecturelovers #offbeatjapan #japan #modernmeetstraditional
Blue haze softly glows, Stone paths bind past with future— Time whispers in night.青い霞が優しく輝く、 石畳が過去と未来を結ぶ— 時間は夜に囁く。#roji #nocturnalscene #japanlovers #urbanharmony #serenemoments #offbeatjapan #japan
Moss-clad gate whispers, Where sunlit streams softly dance, Nature’s shrine unfolds.苔むす門、 木漏れ日の小川、 自然の社。#sacredjapan #mossymagic #toriiwanderings #serenityinthetrees #hiddenretreat #spiritualjourney #offbeatjapan #japan
Modern white and blue, Reflects on ancient timber, Past meets the future.モダンな白と青が、 古い木材に映り込む、 過去が未来に出会う。#architecturalcontrast #traditionmeetstechnology #modernjapan #culturalblend #reflectivebeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden walls whisper, Among emerald whispers; Where sky meets old dreams. ---黄金の壁、 エメラルドの囁き; 空が古き夢に触れる。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalplaces #hiddenjapan #serenesetting #mountainscape #villagelife