31Sotetsu Kasaboko
The Sotetsu kasaboko is from Nino-machi, a former castle town of Yatsushiro Castle.
It is said that the Sotetsu is the sacred tree of immortality and renewal and will be revived if it is struck with a hot nail, even if it is burned. Since the shapes of the leaves resemble the tail feathers of a Chinese phoenix, it is also known by another name, hōbisho, or phoenix tail. The phoenix is said to represent a form when a superior statesman appears and is a symbol of prosperity and peace for families.
The Satsuma Road passed through the center of the Nino-machi, north to south, and it is said that town’s name originated from the fact that it was the second machiya town around Yatsushiro Castle.
