きり

The paulownia, i.e., kiri was the most populuar of Japanese crest motifs. "According to Chinese legend, the mythical phoenix... alights only in the branches of the paulownia tree when it comes to earth and eats only the seed of the bamboo."

"As an explicitly imperial crest, the paulownia ranks only slightly behind the chrysanthemum, and both are usually taken as the dual emblems of the Japanese throne." In the early 13th century the emperor Godaigo bestowed both crests upon the head of the Ashikaga clan. With that the bestowing of the paulownia motif was also an Ashikaga prerogative which they used to reward loyalty. The recipient clans wore it as a symbol of "legitimacy and power." In the 16th century, Hideyoshi, who was born a commoner, after adopting it as his own crest also gave out the motif to some of his most loyal supporters. By the late feudal period nearly 20% of the warrior class wore it as their own personal crest.

Source and quotes from: The Elements of Japanese Design, by John W. Dower, pp. 68-9.

Farmers once planted kiri trees upon the birth of a daughter because it was so fast growing that by the time she was ready to marry the tree could be cut down and made into a tansu or chest.

"The name kiri came from the kiru (to cut) as it was believed that the tree would grow better and quicker when it was cut down often." It can grow to more than 30' in height and has fragrant purplish blossoms in April or May.

Source and quote from: Mock Joya's Things Japanese, pp. 358-9.

The image to the left on the bottom is the seal used predominantly by Kuniyoshi.  It is important to note that he did not always use it and that certain students of his also used it occasionally too.

kiri - paulownia
-- please see phoenix and paulownia

phoenix & paulownia - ho-o kiri
The phoenix, ho-o, is the bird of immortality in the east as in the west, but in Asia its immortality is gained from sipping dew from the flowers of the paulownia, kiri, tree.  Thus this bird, which is represented as having attributes of a peacock, a quail, or even sometimes an owl, is usually seen with paulownia leaves and flowers, the latter being held upright as on the tsutsugaki futon covers, appearing when there are leaves on the tree.  The phoenix and paulownia were probably most often used for marriage quilts, though there is a question of whether or not the peacock-tailed bird on the child's futon cover in our Tsutsugaki section isn't in fact a young phoenix. 

Kiri Trees in Texas

Due to current severe changes in our Earth’s environment, it has become clear that the human race must transform rapidly and do something equally as tremendous in order to maintain a well-balanced existence with our Planet.  One of the most effective and natural methods for detoxifying our Planet comes to us as a magnificent gift from Japan called the Kiri Tree, which is also referred to as the Japanese Empress Tree, and the Paulownia Tree. The benefits of this tree are boundless and amazing. Not only does the Kiri Tree absorb ten times more CO₂ than any other tree but also, it soaks up toxicity in the air, dirt, and water and then expels a massive amount of Oxygen.  In fact, the Kiri Tree flourishes and loves toxic soil and water. It is safe to say that it is the fastest growing tree on the planet. When planted from a seed and grown for eight years, it will be the same size as a 40-year-old Oak tree.

These very unique characteristics make the Kiri Tree the perfect tree for Texas. Texas suffers from extremely contaminated soil, air, and water, which has a harmful effect on all of its residents. So, in order to get the Kiri Tree Revolution started in Texas, Chris Sanders and Brittany Turner have begun planting seeds and clones to see which genetics will be the toughest survivors in the Texas climate. This Wonder Tree can help purify Texas and make it Green again! It is such a blessing that the Kiri Tree loves toxicity, lots of sunshine, and will reduce the CO₂ levels in our environment.  Since no one has planted Kiri Trees in Texas yet, Chris and Brittany will be taking pictures and documenting all of the activity so that we have the knowledge to help plant these trees all over Texas and eventually all over the United States!

We purchased these Japanese Kiri Tree seeds from    http://www.kimkatz.com/MZTS1.html

Day One of Sprouting

March 20, 2007

The First Visible Germination

We planted our seeds in Jiffy Peat Pellets that we sat in a water tray.
On our second try we used rain water.


 
The seeds are tiny and look like little flakes of skin and are extremely fragile.

Only ten days after we sowed the seeds, we began to notice bright
green little sprouts poking their heads through the Peat Pellets.
We have watered it with a small dose of Miracle Grow mixed ( @ 1/2) in with the water.

We make sure to give the little trees LOTS of Sunshine!

Day Three


You can track our growth on myspace!
 

Paulownia Trees in Texas and The United States

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/49961/index.html

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/PaulowniaT.htm

http://www.worldpaulownia.com/

Toll Free:   1-800-615-7306
Phone:       229-546-4034 Mail order to:
World Paulownia Institute - WPI
P.O. Box 721
Lenox, GA  31637

Seeds of the Plant

the leaf

The United States has stands of Royal Paulownia all along it's Eastern Seaboard.
The most beautiful of these are in New York City's Central Park. The older Paulownia
in U.S. parks and botanical gardens look very different from trees planted by
 companies like Kiri Inc. who demand a straight, limbless trunk and fast growth.


This is a method used to root from the clone.


I cut into the tree to get some of the bark included with the cut.

After the clone has been made it is ready to be put in water.


within four years you will have one of these in your yard!


I made the tree divide into three different trunks at four feet tall when it was 6 months of age.
The result is a yard kept cloning machine!