Passing through a massive granite torii, or gate, one reaches an avenue of stately cryptomeria, or cedar trees that leads to a row of stone lanterns presented in 1651 by daimyos as a memorial to the first shogun.
"The Critic in the Orient"
George Hamlin Fitch
Great snow-slashed mountains looked over the foothills, on whose steep sides the dark blue green of pine and cryptomeria was lighted up by the spring tints of deciduous trees.
"Unbeaten-Tracks-in-Japan"
Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)
We left early this morning in drizzling rain, and went straight up hill under the cryptomeria for eight miles.
"Unbeaten-Tracks-in-Japan"
Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)