The slips of paper on the branches represent prayers/wishes (see below). According to legend this tree named Nanairo-no-yadorigi was produced by the seeds of seven different tree species when the wind brought the seeds to one spot: The seeds producing this tree supposedly came from: Litsea Coreana, Japanese Camellia, Sacred Bamboo, Red Elderberry, Japanese Wisteria, Japanese Maple and Japanese Cherry.
The name Nanairo-no-yadorigi: Nanairo means "rainbow" and Yadoru means "conceive" or inhabit." Rainbow refers to the seeds of the seven different trees that produced Nanairo-no-yadorigi. Yadoru refers to pregnant women and the protection the tree presumably offers them. The tree also is presumably a good omen for prosperity. A prayer is offered to the dieties by tying a slip of paper to a branch of the tree as seen in this photo: If the wish/prayer is answered/heard by the deities, the paper is then removed from the branch. Trees, especially special trees like this one, directly represent a spiritual force in the Shinto religion. Presumably one's prayer has a good chance of being "heard" by the relevant deity when a paper is tied to this tree.
In the Shinto religion a tree located in a shrine complex is more valuable/important than the shrine.
Kosuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) was established in the 8th century c.e. and has been rebuilt many times following destruction or decay of the Shrine. (Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century c.e.)
Kasuga Taisha is the most significant Shinto shrine in Nara because it is the lead shrine for approximately 3,000 Kasuga shrines in Japan. Kasuga is one type of Shinto shrine in Japan. The types are based in part on the large number of schools and sects of Shintoism. Japan has over 90,000 Shinto shrines.
Kasuga Taisha is famous for its lanterns which have been donated by worshipers as signs of faith and gratitude. Hundreds of bronze lanterns hang from the Shrine’s buildings, while stone lanterns line the paths leading to the major structures of the Shrine. There are approximately 3,000 lanterns in the Shrine complex.
Nara Park opened in 1880. It is an attractive public park which features some of Nara's main attractions, such as Kasuga Taisha (Shinto shrine), Todai-ji (Buddhist temple) and the Nara National Museum. Approximately 1200 sika deer roam freely in the park and seem tame most of the time. Crackers can be bought at the park to feed the deer. Occasionally the deer become aggressive over the crackers and other food. The deer are a symbol of Nara and considered in Shintoism to be messengers of the deities.
IMG_2881