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Hiba is a tree representative of Aomori Prefecture. Although not as well-known as Akita cedar,Aomori Hibait is highly valued as a building material under the brand name
In the past, it wasthe Konjikido (Golden Hall) of Chūson-ji Templerebuilt in 1810Hirosaki Castle, and is known to remain almost exactly as it was when it was built.
In recent years, the birthplace of Osamu Dazai, "Shayokan"(a nationally designated important cultural property in Goshogawara City), and the scenic spot"Tsuru-no-Maibashi"(Tsuruta Town, Kitatsugaru District) have been constructed using Aomori cypress.
in Iwakuni (a nationally designated scenic spot in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture), which has been rebuilt many times due to being washed away or deteriorating, alsothe Kintaikyo Bridgeas the most durable and decay-resistant material during its complete reconstruction, which took place over four years starting in 2001Aomori cypressselected
Aomori Prefecture is home to approximately 80% of the nation's hiba trees
, belonging to the genus Thujopsis in the family Cupressaceae, just like Japanese cedar and cypressa tree native to Japan.
The growing area is wide, from the southern tip of Hokkaido to the Osumi Peninsula in Kyushu (Kagoshima Prefecture), and about 80% of the Japanese cypress (Hiba) in Japan grows naturally in Aomori Prefecture in particular. Two species of Japanese cypress are distributed in the southern part of the Noto Peninsula (Ishikawa Prefecture) and around Lake Yunoko in Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture): *dolabrata*in the north*Thujopsis cypress*Thujopsis
The most widely distributed tree in Aomori Prefecturethe Japanese cypress (Thujopsis dolabrata), commonly known as "hiba" or "Aomori hiba." Most Aomori hiba trees are concentrated on the Tsugaru and Shimokita Peninsulas, and their primeval forests are considered among Japan's three most beautiful forests, along with Akita cedar and Kiso cypress.
In Sei Shonagon's book "The Pillow Book," it is described as a tree that cannot become a cypress (tomorrow's cypress = asunaro)
Makura no Sōshi), written by Sei Shōnagon (c. 966–c. 1025), a poet known during the Heian period"The Pillow Book" (is related to
The leaves of the Asunaro tree are similar in shape to those of the Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), and they also have a fragrant fragrance similar to that of Japanese cypress, so they were thought to be a type of Japanese cypress. However, in "The Pillow Book,"
The tomorrow tree is so close in this world, yet so inaccessible. Those who come just to see it and then return are left to walk around with it. The branches are so rough to touch, so what is the thought behind calling it the tomorrow tree? Is it such a strange thing to hear? I wonder who I've entrusted it to, and it's interesting to think about it
Enlarged and revised version of The Pillow Book: Spring Dawn, Vol. 1, published in 1893 / @Wikimedia Commons
Modern translation
I have never seen or heard of an "Asunaro" tree around here. It was brought back by someone who had visited Ontake (Mount Kinpu in Yoshino). The branches feel rough to the touch, but I wonder why it was named "Asunaro" (Tomorrow is a Cypress)..
It is said that during the Heian period, it was recognized as a different tree from cypress due to differences in its bark
Even if the scent is similar to that of a cypress, it is not a cypress now. Trees that hold the hope that they may become cypress tomorrow are called "Asunaro," written as "tomorrow's cypress/morning cypress."
The asunaro tree mentioned in The Pillow Book became known to many people in 1953, some 950 years later, through the autobiographical novel Asunaro Monogatari (The Tale of Asunaro) by Yasushi Inoue (1907-1991) (serialized in Bungeishunju's monthly All Yomimono magazine from January to June 1953; representative works include The Ice Wall and Dunhuang; recipient of the Order of Culture). Asunaro Monogatari is the story of a hopeful young man who struggles in society and in his personal life, and the tree was likened to the asunaro tree, which hopes to become a cypress tomorrow but will never become one
It seems that cypress was considered a higher-ranking tree than asunaro
The official Japanese name for Hiba is written in katakana as "Asunaro."
The official scientific name of "Asunaro" was given by a German in the late Edo period. When the German doctor Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866), who visited Japan during the Edo period, returned to Germany, he brought back an Asunaro tree and named it "Thujopsis dolabrata" because it was a tree not found in Europe
Remarks
Thujopsis: A North American plant similar to thuja (arborvitae)
dolabrata: Axe-like shape = The shape of the leaves resembles an axe
This Latin spelling is the official scientific name, but in Japan it is customary to give Japanese names in katakana, so the official Japanese name is the katakana spelling of "Asunaro" [Asunaro]
Later, in the Meiji period, Honda Seiroku (1866-1952), Japan's first doctor of forestry and the designer of Hibiya Park (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo) and Meiji Jingu Gaien (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo), discovered that the asunaro of Aomori Prefecture, which was called hiba, was slightly different from the asunaro of the Kinki and Kyushu regions
In 1901 (Meiji 34), the famous botanist Makino Tomitaro (1862-1957) named it "Hinoki Asunaro," and it has been called that name ever since
Hinoki Asunaro, known as Ate (档) in the Noto region, is used for Wajima lacquerware and chopsticks
In Aomori Prefecture, the Japanese cypress(Thujopsis dolabrata) is called "Aomori Hiba," butin the Noto region, itis called "Ate." According to one theory, the cypress was introduced to Japan by the Oshu Fujiwara clan, who ruled the Tohoku region during the Heian period, and it was cultivated extensively in the Noto region. Eventually, due to its excellent wood quality, it came to be used for the base of Wajima lacquerware and chopsticks.
Aomori Hiba is an evergreen coniferous tree similar to cedar or cypress, reaching a height of 30m and a diameter of 80cm. In the Tsugaru and Nanbu domains, it was called "hinoki" (cypress), but by the mid-Edo period, the name "hiba" (cypress leaf) had come to be used in the forestry world
In the forestry industry, hiba is recognized as a different tree from cypress, and it is generally believed that it came to be called "hiba" or "Aomori hiba" to avoid confusion
Aomori Hiba was a major source of income for the Tsugaru and Nanbu domains, so the forests were strictly managed
During the Edo period, the western half of the area in Aomori Prefecture where Aomori hiba is grown was the territory of the Tsugaru domain, and the eastern half was the territory of the Nanbu domain
It is said that there were many more natural cypress forests in the Edo period than there are today, and it is thought that the Ando and Nanbu clans, who ruled Aomori before the feudal era, also used Aomori cypress as a source of revenue, but unfortunately no documentation remains to this effect
The Tsugaru and Nanbu domains, which were established during the Edo period, utilized Aomori hiba, as well as other cedars and pines, as sources of income for their domains
The Nanbu clan, whose territory was the Shimokita Peninsula, initially allowed residents to freely use the peninsula's trees, but it wasn't until 1711 that they finally banned the felling of coniferous trees such as Aomori hiba, and the clan began to strictly control them. As a result, the felling of virgin forests on the Shimokita Peninsula progressed, and planted areas and forests of Aomori hiba mixed with other trees became prominent
Meanwhile, the Tsugaru domain encouraged forestry, and"One head for every cypress tree cut down" (meaning that if you cut down one cypress tree, you would lose your head)it was managed so strictly that there was a saying,
All Aomori hiba trees belonged to the feudal domain, and it is said that there was a time when cutting them down for personal use was not permitted as they were used as a source of income. They also put effort into replanting trees in areas where trees had been cut down and protecting the forests. The natural Aomori hiba forests on the Tsugaru Peninsula are called "old-growth uniform forests" and are mostly made up of Aomori hiba trees, most of which are very old
In contrast to the Akita cedar trees in the Kubota Domain (Akita Domain), which were cut down more than they could manage and all natural forests were cut down except deep in the mountains, many natural forests of Aomori cypress trees remained
The Aomori Hiba trees currently in use are harvested from natural forests that are over 200 years old
The lifespan of Aomori Hiba is said to be approximately 300 years. Currently, the trees harvested for lumber are mature trees between 200 and 250 years old, and these are selectively cut down (selectively harvested). They were born during the feudal era and have grown over many years, spanning the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras. When large trees are cut down, a sun-filled space is created, allowing new buds to grow rapidly. This natural regeneration cycle sustains the forest for a long time
Japan's forest area is 25.02 million hectares, of which cypress accounts for about 10%, or 2.57 million hectares (as of March 31, 2022, Forestry Agency), while hiba accounts for only about 60,000 hectares. Of that, approximately 50,000 hectares (2024 Aomori Prefecture Forest Resources Statistics Book) are Aomori Prefecture's "Aomori hiba (Chamaecyparis obtusa)." As a result, it is not widely distributed as a building material and is a minor presence, but in fact, it has characteristics that make it more suitable for use as a building material than cypress or cedar
Aomori Hiba has the fragrance of cypress, has antibacterial and insect repellent properties, and is harder than cypress or cedar
Aomori Hiba is a species of tree similar to Japanese cypress, so it has a pleasant woody scent that has a relaxing effect. It is also said to be highly effective at repelling termites and other pests, and to have a strong natural antibacterial effect. Aomori Hiba is known to be an excellent building material in Japan, and is said to be cheaper than Japanese cypress. You might want to consider using Aomori Hiba wood when building your home
Interview cooperation
Name: Aomori Prefecture Wood Cooperative Association
Address: 104-1 Kawase, Takada, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
My love of travel led me to work for a travel magazine some time ago, and now I work as a travel writer for an online publication. I have visited all 47 prefectures in Japan, focusing on the Tohoku region, and I enjoy soaking in hot springs and experiencing traditional Japanese culture, including old townscapes, lifestyles, and performing arts and crafts
![8462_Twelve Yasu_Aomori Prefecture](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/253548d275eb7094ecaf1ff7171c9276-150x150.jpg.webp "The core of the theory that Aomori Hiba is the strongest is "hinokitiol," which is found only in Aomori Hiba in Japan")
