Monthly Tour, March 20, 2016

Our monthly tour for March was held on March 20, 2016.  It was a perfect Spring day for hiking and we are fortunate to have two guests from Hong Kong.

We were able to observe flowers of Mitsumata, (means three-pronged in Japanese) known as a paper bush.  Mitsumata's bark is used to make "Washi", Japanese traditional paper.   Its flowers have been used as one of season words for Japanese poetry.   You can find it in Manyoshu, the oldest collection of Japanese tree.

One of famous poetry used Mitsumata was written by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro.  

 春さればまづさきくさの幸くあらば
　　　　　　　後にも逢はむな恋ひそ吾妹

In this poetry, he speaks to his wife not to miss him so much because they can see each other in Spring.

Though it is little too early for cherry blossoms, you can observe other signs of Spring in Mt. Takao.

Our next monthly tour will be held on April 17, 2016.  We are planning to take longer walk to observe cherry blossom to Icchodaira. Please make a resevation by e-mailing us with your name, number of persons joining the tour, e-mail address and cell phone number.

If you would like to join our tour for other date, please e-mail us with the date you would like to visit Mt. Takao along with the information above.  We will check our members' availability and get back to you.

(Photo by Kei, Article by Cat)