漢字では「百日紅」と書く難読漢字の一つです。
樹皮がツルツルで、猿が滑るように見えることから「サルスベリ」という名前が付けられました。夏から秋にかけて、紅、ピンク、白などの花を咲かせます。咲いている期間が長いので漢字そのままの読み方で「ひゃくじつこう」ともいわれています。
サルスベリの中国名は紫薇（シビ）といい、唐の時代（618〜907年）、長安の紫薇宮廷に多く植えられたことから、この名がついたのだそうです。当時、長安は世界最大級の都市でした。今の日本では、街路樹や庭木であったり身近な存在のサルスベリですが、かつては華やかな都を彩る特別な花木だったのですね。
耐寒性も耐暑性の強く育ちやすい木ですが、10mほどに大きくなるのと花も葉も派手に散るので管理には手がかかりますよね。
サルスベリの花言葉には「雄弁」「愛嬌」「不用意」「あなたを信じる」「潔白」などがあります。
サルが滑って落ちるなんて言われていますが、つるつるしていてさわり心地の良い、くねくねした枝や幹は登りやすく、ついついぶら下がったり登ったり簡単に木登りの達成感をもらえるステキな木でもありました。新会堂建築の時に移植され今は子供たちが入れない柵の中にありますが、、、私が子供の頃はよく登ったもので。。。
場所は変われども、今も変わらず毎年可愛いフリフリのお花を咲かしています。
教会のクリーム色の壁とオレンジの屋根に、グリーンの葉とピンクの花がとても似合っています！この写真にはBGMがありますが、どんなだかわかりますか？？
夏のBGMといえば…
それは「セミのこえ」です！
日曜日には讃美の歌に代わりますので、ぜひぜひ礼拝においでください😉
Crape Myrtle – Lagerstroemia, Family Lythraceae
The crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) belongs to the Lythraceae family.
Its Japanese name, "Sarusuberi", literally means "monkey slip", because its smooth bark looks so slippery that even a monkey would slide right off!
This tree produces vibrant blooms—from red and pink to white—from summer into autumn. Because it flowers for such a long time, it's also known by the alternate reading of its kanji name, "Hyakujitsukō", which means "a hundred days of red." It's one of those kanji that’s tricky to read at first glance!
In Chinese, the crape myrtle is called Zǐwēi (紫薇). During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), many of these trees were planted in the Ziwei Imperial Palace in the capital, Chang’an—then one of the largest cities in the world.
Today in Japan, the crape myrtle is a familiar sight as a street tree or garden plant, but in ancient times, it was a treasured flower that adorned a dazzling imperial city.
Crape myrtles are hardy in both hot and cold climates, and generally easy to grow. However, they can reach up to 10 meters tall, and their leaves and flowers fall dramatically—so they do require a bit of upkeep.
The flower language (hanakotoba) of the crape myrtle includes:
"Eloquence," "Charm," "Carelessness," "I trust you," and "Purity."
Despite the idea that "even monkeys slip" on its bark, I always found the twisting branches and smooth texture irresistible. As a child, I loved climbing it—grabbing onto the limbs, swinging, and feeling that special joy of having scaled a tree all on my own.
Today, the tree has been transplanted inside a gated area during the construction of our new chapel, so children can’t climb it anymore... but I remember those days fondly.
Though the location has changed, the tree still faithfully blooms each year with its frilly, cheerful flowers.
And now, the crape myrtle's green leaves and pink blossoms match so beautifully with our church’s cream-colored walls and orange roof—it’s a perfect picture!
This photo comes with a little background music.
Can you guess what it is?
When we think of summer background music...
It’s the sound of cicadas!
On Sundays, of course, the music is replaced with songs of praise,
so please do come join us for worship 😊
