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  • Japanese Chestnut
  • ブナ科クリ属
  • 日本

古代から日本人になじみ深い木

縄文時代から日本の主要な食料資源として重宝されてきた木。耐久性・耐水性に優れるため、かつては風雨にさらされる鉄道の枕木や銃床の材料として広く用いられた。また明瞭な年輪が美しいため、家具材や床材などにも使用される。漢字が「西」と「木」の組み合わせであることから西方浄土になぞらえて位牌などの仏具に使用されることも多い。

A tree that has been familiar to the Japanese since ancient times

A tree valued as one of Japan’s main food resources since the Jōmon period. Because of its excellent durability and resistance to water, it was once widely used for railway sleepers exposed to the elements and for gunstocks. Its clearly defined, beautiful growth rings also make it suitable for furniture and flooring. Since its name is written with the characters for “west” and “tree,” it is often used for Buddhist implements such as mortuary tablets, by association with the Western Pure Land.