能因法師求雨樟樹, Sacred camphor tree at Ōyamazumi Shrine, Imabari, Japan.
The camphor tree at Ōyamazumi Shrine in Imabari is an ancient specimen with a massive trunk and extensive limbs spreading outward. Its thick branches create a broad canopy that dominates the shrine grounds with its sheer size and presence.
The tree has been venerated at the shrine for roughly 2,600 years, predating most structures in the area. It has witnessed countless changes across different periods and become a symbol of continuity through the ages.
The tree serves as a focal point for visitors seeking blessings, with many leaving offerings and prayers at its base. It embodies the local faith in the spiritual power of nature within the shrine community.
The tree is freely accessible from the shrine grounds and can be visited at most times, though the shrine itself may have set visiting hours. Parking is available nearby, and most visitors can reach it without difficulty.
The tree is named after a Buddhist priest who performed rain rituals beneath its branches during a severe drought. This connection between religious practice and natural power remains woven into the local stories told about this place.
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