Kuroganemochi (prefectural natural monument) at Shodenji Temple

Shodenji Temple, located near Yasukawa, north of Takedayama, was founded early on, and was known as Shodenbo before 1606. When you enter the temple grounds, you will see a large Japanese laurel tree, firmly rooted in the earth and with branches spreading out so wide that they overwhelm the surrounding area. Japanese laurel is an evergreen broadleaf tree that came to southern Japan from far away, via Indochina and China. This species is called a giant tree if it is 10m tall and has a trunk circumference of 1.5m at chest height (the trunk circumference at chest height of an adult), and there are hardly any trees as large as this Japanese laurel. It can be said to be one of the largest trees in the country. The tree's age is unclear, but according to legend, it was planted by Fukushima Masanori, who accompanied Toyotomi Hideyoshi when he invaded Korea. By the way, Shodenji Temple has records of the successive feudal lords who frequently visited the temple. Among them is a sketch made by the fourth feudal lord Tsunanaga (ruled 1673-1708) when he visited the temple, which includes this Japanese laurel tree. Looking at the sketch, one is reminded of the wonder of looking at the same tree after hundreds of years, and the vitality of this tree that has lived for such a long time. Location: Aida 4-4-15, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City Date designated as part of Shodenji Temple grounds: April 3, 1953 Summary: Male stump, height 16.5m, trunk circumference at chest height 3.4m