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An Old Tree / 老木 

There is an old tree called " Saikachi " around the Hozu river . It is growing for over 400 years. Saikachi was a useful tree in old days. Its beans were used instead of soap.

Its young leaves were eaten by people in famines. Now it is standing quietly.

この木は明智光秀が丹波亀山城の防護のために保津川の堤にそって植えた中で現存する2本のサイカチのうちの1本です。今も秋になると巨大な豆のサヤがたくさんできます。その豆を煮ると出る泡が石けんの代わりに利用されたようです。根は深く広範囲に張るため、堤防を強くする働きがあると言われています。

 

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Uploaded on May 31, 2009
Taken on May 30, 2009