![JPsnowdroptree_bee_Styrax_j](https://tokyogreenspace.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/jpsnowdroptree_bee_styrax_j.jpg?w=1000)
写真のまん中にミツバチが見えます。エゴノキという木から、胡弓という楽器が作られます。西麻布で家と路地の間に、このきれいな木が育っています。
If you look in the center of the photograph, you can see a bee pollinating this Japanese snowbell tree (styrax japonicus, or エゴノキ). It is planted in the very narrow gap between a house and a small street in Nishi Azabu Juban. I learned online that the wood of this tree is used to make a string instrument called a “kokyuu,” which is similar to a shamisen.
![JPsnowdroptree_context_Styr](https://tokyogreenspace.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/jpsnowdroptree_context_styr.jpg?w=1000)