Isshinko no Ozakura (The Great Cherry Blossom of Isshinko)

Overview

Isshinko no Ozakura is a massive cherry blossom tree in Minamiaso Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture. Over 400 years old and 14 meters tall, it boasts a rich history. It stands on the grounds of the burial site of Nakamura (Mine) Hakushu Mori Fuyu, a former lord of the land, serving as a Bodhi tree for his grave. This connection adds to its historical significance. Fuyu perished in 1580 (Tensho 8) during a battle against the Shimazu clan of Satsuma at Yazaki Castle. After his death, his wife and children, along with a few loyal retainers, secretly returned to their home village of Mine. To commemorate the spirits of the fallen lord and his retainers, they planted a young cherry tree and performed an Isshinko (a ritual of devotion), thus giving the tree its name. A lightning strike in the early Showa period split the trunk into six sections, resulting in its beautiful dome-like shape. However, Typhoons 16 and 18 in 2004 (Heisei 16) caused two of the four main trunks to break, changing its shape from a dome to an M-shape. Despite this, countless tourists visit every year, particularly during cherry blossom season, when its beauty is amplified by a surrounding carpet of rapeseed flowers. The area is well-maintained, featuring a park golf course and parking areas, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms at their leisure. Many events are also held during the cherry blossom season, including nighttime illuminations. Isshinko no Ozakura is a representative cherry blossom site in Kumamoto Prefecture, offering a breathtaking display and a palpable sense of history. Be sure to visit!