days the ground where the tree grew enjoyed exemption 
from taxes. The tree is believed to have survived more 
than five hundred winters. The flowers are usually in 
full bloom in the latter part of April. 
(5)  ‘ Kariyado Geba-zakura ” . 
Growing on a raised part of Shiraito village, Fuji 
County, Shizuoka Prefecture, situated at the foot of 
Mount Fuji, this particular tree is the largest of white 
mountain cherries in the land, measuring 28 feet in 
girth at the height of 3.5 feet-above the ground. Its 
flowers, when in full bloom, are of pure white, and are 
in harmony with the crimson-coloured young leaves, the 
whole being strikingly beautiful. The tree is also called 
“ Yoritomo no Komatome-zakura”’ from the tradition 
that it was in a flourishing condition as early as the 
days of Minamoto Yoritomo (founder of the Kamakura 
Government) ; and on the occasion of the famous hunting 
party given by Yoritomo around the foot of Mt. Fuji 
the grand sight of the cherry, which was then in full 
bloom, caused him to stop his horse and admire the 
beautiful sight. The name Komatome means “to stop 
one’s horse,” and the above story explains why the 
name was given to the tree. The tree had one of its 
gigantic branches broken off by a severe storm a few 
years ago. The flowers are usually in full bloom about 
the roth of April. 
(6) ‘Ishido Kaba-zakura ” 
This peculiar cherry tree, Prunus media, stands in 
the grounds of the Tokoin Temple at Ishido village, 
Kita-Adachi County, Saitama Prefecture, about 2.5 miles 
from Okegawa station on the Takasaki Line, where a 
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