Today we have a few more pictures from the Aizu region, which all end up showing the same object. And unfortunately it is no longer in the same condition as it once was. I don't know when this “once” actually was, but it must have been some years ago that the tree I'm talking about here still had a canopy on its trunk.

Now only the lower part of the trunk is still standing, but it immediately suggests that once a mighty tree must have been standing here at this spot. Unfortunately, I don't know what kind of tree this fellow was, but judging by the trees that still stand around it today, it could have been a pine.

But whatever kind of tree it was, now we only have a piece of the trunk standing on the castle walls of the old samurai fortress of Tsuruga-jo. But even that trunk still manages to make an impression today. At least it worked for me, so as usual I couldn't resist taking a few photos. From all sides, of course, so that nothing was left out.

Even though it wasn't our first visit to this castle complex, I must have somehow missed this tree trunk. Or did I just forget about it? I guess anything is possible as you get older!

Well, so as not to completely rob myself of my own powers, I'd better keep it short today. So here are a few pictures of our tree trunk, which I hope will stand there on the castle wall for many years to come. From there, it has a great view of the actual castle, which is shining in a splendid white glow just about 100 meters away. It's actually a really great place to enjoy eternity...