Prefectural Natural Treasure of Koshigaya

Wisteria of Hisaizu

 In Japan an early Spring is expected this year. Any mention of Spring reminds me of Cherry Blossom time in Koshigaya. It also brings back memories of our ‘homestay’ with Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi-san at the Hisaizu Shrine residence on the Sister City (Adult) visit in 2000. One of the simple pleasures at that time was walking through the tunnel formed by the 200 years old plus Wisteria. The old plant grows over wide trellises by a pond (full of turtles).

Now a Koshigaya Natural Treasure, this plant when already about 50 years old, was supposedly transplanted in 1857 from Nagareyama in now Chiba prefecture to Koshigaya by Kawanabe Kunizo. This was done to honour an influential scholar and leader, Hirata Atsutane. In ancient Japan, Wisteria floribunda was planted in the palace where the ladies –in-waiting lived.

Empress Fujiwara no Shoshi, 1000 CE was called “Fujitsubo” because of the Wisteria growing in the palace courtyard. This was probably because the common name for Wisteria at that time was ‘Fuji’. Hisaizu Shrine is a major attraction in a local festival from April 28 to May 6.