Ginkgo

Ginkgo is a tree that is from the Jurassic on the earth.

It has a long life, to become a big tree,Japanese used to worship it as sacred tree.

Much the same as the  camphor tree, a number seen tree at shrines and temples.

Leaf of Ginkgo is used in the logo of the Tokyo Metropolitan.

Many place on the street, you will find the illustrations of it.

The shape of the leaf is likened to duck feet, this is the etymology of Ityou.(Japanese name of Ginkgo)

Because ginkgo is strong in pollution and fire, it is also often used as a street tree.

However, fruits of ginkgo (Gin nann) very smell and will be slimy after fall.

So, male trees are used as a street tree for safety and effortless cleaning of the road.

Old ginkgo tree, part of the stem sometimes will be the mysterious form.

Old Japanese likened this form to the woman's breast, the mother does not go out the milk, prayed to God of ginkgo.

There are many legends dealing with ginkgo trees.

For example...

At the time of the fire, waters came out from a big ginkgo automatically, and put out the fire....

Ginkgo is a familiar tree to the Japanese since ancient times.