Monday, October 31, 2005
Tsuruoka City Readies for Winter
Strange wooden structures and straw wraps not just decorative
Visitors and residents new to snow country may have been surprised by construction taking place in public and private spaces around the city. Yuki-gakoi, or snow fences, take several different forms and are characteristic of winter in Shonai.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful forms of yuki-gakoi is the central bamboo pole ascending alongside the tree trunk and towering above. Rough ropes then stretch from the top of the pole to the various branches below, strengthening and supporting them when weighted down with snow.
Another common style used for hedges, shrubs, and smaller trees consists of a wooden frame around the outside of the tree, or stretching above the hedge, which is then covered with wooden or bamboo slats. The slats are either nailed down or, more traditionally, secured with rough rope.
The large trees in Tsuruoka City Park seem to be wearing skirts these days. City gardeners have lovingly wrapped each tree trunk in a straw mat which forms a band two or three feet wide, as if to ensure warmth and comfort throughout the frigid winter months. In fact, rather than providing warmth or protecting the trees from the weight of fallen snow, these skirts, called komomaki in Japanese, are said to attract pine beetles, which infest the warm soft straw and leave the tree untouched. Park officials then burn the mats in spring, helping to keep the beetle population in check.
The strangest of all yuki-gakoi is doubtless the straw capes fashioned to protect the stone Buddhas and statues.Then again, maybe it's not so strange. During the rest of the year the statues are dressed in red capes and locals place gifts of food and sake at their feet lest they hunger or thirst.
As an outsider, it seems to me that snow fencing is more elaborate and widespread than strictly necessary. Local residents may do the work themselves, or hire a landscaper at fairly expensive rates. In any case, yuki-gakoi and komomaki are some of the unmistakeable signs of the onset of winter. ¶ 10/31/2005 03:54:00 PM
Strange wooden structures and straw wraps not just decorative
Visitors and residents new to snow country may have been surprised by construction taking place in public and private spaces around the city. Yuki-gakoi, or snow fences, take several different forms and are characteristic of winter in Shonai.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful forms of yuki-gakoi is the central bamboo pole ascending alongside the tree trunk and towering above. Rough ropes then stretch from the top of the pole to the various branches below, strengthening and supporting them when weighted down with snow.Another common style used for hedges, shrubs, and smaller trees consists of a wooden frame around the outside of the tree, or stretching above the hedge, which is then covered with wooden or bamboo slats. The slats are either nailed down or, more traditionally, secured with rough rope.
The large trees in Tsuruoka City Park seem to be wearing skirts these days. City gardeners have lovingly wrapped each tree trunk in a straw mat which forms a band two or three feet wide, as if to ensure warmth and comfort throughout the frigid winter months. In fact, rather than providing warmth or protecting the trees from the weight of fallen snow, these skirts, called komomaki in Japanese, are said to attract pine beetles, which infest the warm soft straw and leave the tree untouched. Park officials then burn the mats in spring, helping to keep the beetle population in check.
The strangest of all yuki-gakoi is doubtless the straw capes fashioned to protect the stone Buddhas and statues.Then again, maybe it's not so strange. During the rest of the year the statues are dressed in red capes and locals place gifts of food and sake at their feet lest they hunger or thirst.As an outsider, it seems to me that snow fencing is more elaborate and widespread than strictly necessary. Local residents may do the work themselves, or hire a landscaper at fairly expensive rates. In any case, yuki-gakoi and komomaki are some of the unmistakeable signs of the onset of winter. ¶ 10/31/2005 03:54:00 PM
