ヤクスギ
- Cryptomeria japonica
- ヒノキ科スギ亜科スギ属
- 日本
神の宿る世界遺産の木
世界遺産屋久島に自生する杉のうち樹齢1000年以上のものを屋久杉という。樹齢2000年を超え、神の力が宿るという伝承がある大木も多く存在する。樹脂分が多いため腐りにくく抗菌・防虫効果に優れていることが、長い年月の間屋久杉が朽ちずに生き続けられる秘訣である。
A World Heritage-listed tree believed to be inhabited by a deity
Among the cedars that grow naturally on Yakushima, a World Heritage Site, those over 1,000 years old are called Yakusugi. Many are ancient trees over 2,000 years old, and legend holds that they are imbued with divine power. Their high resin content makes them resistant to decay and gives them excellent antibacterial and insect-repellent properties—this is the secret to how Yakusugi have survived for so many centuries without rotting away.