Category:

Municipally Designated Natural Monument

Title:

Mikura no kumagaiso

The Japanese Lady’s Slipper Orchids of Mikura

御蔵のクマガイソウ

No. of features:

One flower bed

Designated:

December 3, 1958

Location:

Mikura, Minuma Ward

Owner:

Under private ownership

Description:

 Japanese lady’s slipper orchids (Cypripedium japonicum) are perennial　members of the family Orchidaceae. They are the largest of Japan’s native orchids. The Japanese name “kumagaisou” (lit. “Kumagai grass”) is believed to have originated from the similarity of the pouch-like flowers’ shape to that of the “horo” cloak famously worn by the Kamakura samurai Kumagai Naozone.  

These flowers grow wild in a grove of Japanese timber bamboo outside the front gate of a private residence. They range from 30-40 cm tall. The pouch-like flowers bloom around the end of April.  

Associated Texts:

(1960). “Cultural Properties in Omiya” (vol. 1). Omiya Municipal Board of Education.

(1965). “Cultural Properties in Omiya”. Omiya Municipal Board of Education.

(1970). “Designated Cultural Properties in Omiya City”. Omiya Municipal Board of Education.

(1971). “Designated Cultural Properties in Omiya City”. Omiya Municipal Board of Education.

(1987). “Survey Report on Omiya City’s Cultural Properties” (vol. 22). Omiya Municipal Board of Education.

(1987). “Cultural Properties in Omiya” (vol. 3). Omiya Municipal Board of Education.

The owner of this natural monument has kindly agreed to make the flowers available for public viewing for a fee during their blooming season. Please be courteous towards other visitors, locals, and the site’s owners/curators when visiting this cultural property.

Inquiries (Japanese only)

Cultural Heritage Preservation Division, Department of Lifelong Learning, Board of Education Secretariat　

TEL：048-829-1723 FAX：048-829-1989

 https://www.city.saitama.jp/004/005/006/001/005/002/003/p000519.html