Spring of Togenokyo

Spring this year is somehow frustrating. Although the cherry blossoms bloomed quickly, other flowers also bloomed in rapid succession one by one, and it seems that they missed the best time when accidentally touched.
So it seems that work in Momohata has become busy soon. "Asama garden" in Ichinomiya-cho who stopped by the other day was also in the middle of pollination work.



I pollinated the round pom-pong like a brush at the end of a long rod and I pollinated politely. It is a steady task. The main varieties cultivated here are Hakuho and Hakuto, of which white pollination requires artificial pollination. Asama White peach which contains plenty of sweet juice is a representative peach of Yamanashi.
In order to harvest delicious fruits, peaches do thinning, but pick up the buds, pick the flowers that bloomed, pick small flowers and pick them again so that the distance between the real and the real becomes good That's right. What we are eating is selected and one flower.
Take pollen for artificial pollination from the flowers picked at this time. When asked how wondering how to collect only pollen, they showed me such a secret weapon.





On the top is a machine called an anther from flowers is a machine that sifts only bags filled with minute. The bottom is said to be a machine that opens the bag and takes pollen. When I thought that it was made with such hands, I wanted to taste it more and more.
The harvest is from late June. I would like many people to enjoy delicious Yamanashi peaches.

Hill overlooking Japan of tomorrow

Spring has arrived at Momo no Sato, Ichinomiya Town as well.
Today I will introduce the hidden places of Yamanashi, the spotting spots where people who know it will know.
Do you know a person named Noritsugu Hayakawa who laid the first subway in Japan? He is also called "the father of the subway" he is from Ikuya Town, Fuefuki shi, Yamanashi prefecture.



After graduating from Waseda University, Mr. Hayakawa, born in Meiji 14, he will get a job at the Manchurian Railroad. I was shocked by the subway in London that I visited during my visit and will try to introduce a subway in Tokyo to modernize Japan. Geological survey and search for sponsors, applications to national agencies, etc. Over the years I repeated steady efforts. At that time in Tokyo, a tram and a car were running, but also a rickshaw and a horse-drawn carriage travel. You would have imagined that a train would run under the ground.
After overcoming a number of difficulties, opening up between Ueno - Asakusa, then Asakusa - Shimbashi in Showa 2, he said he returned to his hometown after retiring from the president of Tokyo Underground Railway Co., Ltd. in 15 years.
I thought that I wanted to create an academic site "Youth Dojo" like Matsushita village school in the place where my birth place was, first built the instructor's dormitory. It would have become his new dream to develop a leader who will lead the future of this country. The building that is over 75 years old remains in Ichinomiya-cho Higashi Niitoshi overlooking Tōgen Genji.











It is impossible to introduce everything, but in this era the toilet is flushing, we can do luxury in the details of fittings and arrangements, we can see that it was an epoch-making modern building at that time. There was fun that I really did not get tired of watching.
Mr. Hayakawa suddenly died after building this dormitory, but unfortunately "Youth Dojo" did not come true.





Children were challenging to make dolls this day at the event. It seems that it is a dharma named after Mr. Hayakawa 's plump face. I painted it colorfully, and it seemed fun.
Although it is a facility that is not open to the public normally, you can visit if you book in groups of about 10 people. For inquiries up to "Ichimiya Scoop's Association".
The Tokyo Metro Ginza line is still running between Asakusa Shimbashi which Mr. Hayakawa drew on his beliefs.

Bloomed, Aligned, Spring objects

Suddenly, as springy puzzled, Spring of Hyakka flowers came.
Since all the messages of flowers come from all over the world, they are busy and can not help it. Such a spring is rare.
As you can see, the tulips that are supposed to be a bit late for usual are in full bloom in the blink of an eye.
This is Katsunuma's "Herb Garden Travel Diary". About 50,000 bulbs are planted in the garden, and the scenery that bloomed is magnificent. It's like a fairy tale world.









While various tulips entertain the eyes, this year's attention is candy tulip. A flower branches from one bulb and several flowers bloom.





This is a little surprise. It is worth a visit. When I was a child, the tulip I was painting was a flower in one stem. That fixed concept may change. This branched blooming tulip seemed to grow slightly later than other varieties, so it seems to be enjoyable for a while. Please do not miss it.
The best time to see the tulip is until late April.