My English husband, age 85 and brought up in Hertfordshire, isn't feeling too well today and, in an effort to bring him a little bit of cheer, I read him your post out loud. I knew conkers were a big part of his life - he still collects him "for the grandchildren". Anyway, as I read, he nodded, said yes, and yes and yes. Everything you wrote was just as he remembered and he talked about the skill and knowledge kids brought into the conker fights. So thanks for cheering up one old man.
A beautiful piece Jeffrey - and certainly brings back memories of my own conker gathering although my own motivation was to somehow craft a Wilma Flintstone kind of necklace for myself. (Extremely dated reference I know!) I never succeeded but like you, I was enchanted by peeling back the spikiness to reveal that white spongy cushion (like a ring case!) holding the conker within. You've made me want to read more about Sugita as well!
We played this game with chestnuts im Montreal in Canada also. This was in the 1950s. (I am old.) We did call these chestnuts conkers but I used to think it was a variant of "conquerors" because the chestnuts battled each other.
I grew up in Ireland and have fond memories of conker as a kid and it was so lovely to remember wonderful childhood memories from California. Give your husband a hug for me.
When autumn comes, I am always looking forward to the sweet taste of chestnuts, just as I am always looking forward to read Jeffrey’s newsletter when Friday arrives. 😊
Oh I hope you love the PNW here! The weather had been a bit (earlier than usual) grim, but we are supposed to have 3-4 gorgeous fall days, and I am looking forward to the full mid-autumn festival moon up in the mountains (and forests)!
First thank you for the Van Gogh — I’d not seen it before and it is glorious. I love the whole meander around the world of horse chestnuts especially ending where you mention they are called Buckeyes in the US. I have one across the creek. Love this post!
Jeffrey, I am charmed all over again. And this time around I have confers on the brain. Today outside a winery shop in Rioja, my English-born husband stood under a chestnut tree—and was hit on the shoulder by a conker that unleashed childhood memories. How beautiful conkers are. I had to say it.
What a delightful moment of memory for your husband! I've been in Vancouver this week and it's been lovely to see horse chestnut trees here too. They seem to throw generous branches around our memories.
We lived in Birmingham, England many years ago. There was a giant "conker tree" in the park near our house and I learned all about conkers from the neighbor kids. Good memories, thank you!
My grandparents had a few of these trees and we couldn’t walk around barefoot in the back part of the yard because of those spiky shells, but we loved picking them when they were still greenish and we could peel them off.
What a delightful read. I could almost feel the smooth-as-bone shine turning in my fingers as I read this. How painful those dried conker weapons must’ve been! And my goodness, that mochimochi tree illustration is mesmerizing. I was hoping the end of that tale would be as magical as the tree itself, almost lifting one into the night sky with its fractalling (I just made that word up!) reach.
Just as good on a second read, I had never heard of conkers before. Since last year, I have run into the term several times, perhaps there is a resurgence of the fun or memories. Safe travels, Jeffrey.
I remember really enjoying this piece last time. It reminded me of time as a kid collecting gum nuts (we called them honkey nuts). Reading it again, I was also brought back tk nostalgic memories of my childhood playing around in the bush where the honkey nuts were. You write about your childhood experiences really well, Jeffrey. It’s a treat to read. :)
Thank you Jeffrey as a new subscriber I was drawn to your Chestnut 🌰 stories … I live by the River Wye in Hereford England and love the chestnut season collecting as many shiny orbs as I can fit into my pockets on my early morning dog walks … they then cover my nature table till they wrinkle and I’m delighted when I wear an old winter jacket and find last years trophy snuggled in my pocket.
“my childhood exploits as a conker-pursuing outlaw.” Haha this brought memories! The buckeye tree of my youth was indeed on someone else’s property. We’d drill holes, though I can’t remember what we used, probably my older brother’s had a tool, and made necklaces from our buckeyes. Jeffrey, what a fun read, and I love the history of the haiku, and the art. Good morning and safe travels. And now I know you have a twin! xo
I'm from Kiev, the city of chestnut trees - thank you for this beautiful post
My English husband, age 85 and brought up in Hertfordshire, isn't feeling too well today and, in an effort to bring him a little bit of cheer, I read him your post out loud. I knew conkers were a big part of his life - he still collects him "for the grandchildren". Anyway, as I read, he nodded, said yes, and yes and yes. Everything you wrote was just as he remembered and he talked about the skill and knowledge kids brought into the conker fights. So thanks for cheering up one old man.
A beautiful piece Jeffrey - and certainly brings back memories of my own conker gathering although my own motivation was to somehow craft a Wilma Flintstone kind of necklace for myself. (Extremely dated reference I know!) I never succeeded but like you, I was enchanted by peeling back the spikiness to reveal that white spongy cushion (like a ring case!) holding the conker within. You've made me want to read more about Sugita as well!
We played this game with chestnuts im Montreal in Canada also. This was in the 1950s. (I am old.) We did call these chestnuts conkers but I used to think it was a variant of "conquerors" because the chestnuts battled each other.
Thank you for sharing those memories! I've been in Vancouver this week and there are some beautiful horse chestnut trees here.
I grew up in Ireland and have fond memories of conker as a kid and it was so lovely to remember wonderful childhood memories from California. Give your husband a hug for me.
When autumn comes, I am always looking forward to the sweet taste of chestnuts, just as I am always looking forward to read Jeffrey’s newsletter when Friday arrives. 😊
🙏Thank you, Yi, for those kind words. By the way, I've been in Vancouver this week, enjoying the north west Pacific for the first time!
Oh I hope you love the PNW here! The weather had been a bit (earlier than usual) grim, but we are supposed to have 3-4 gorgeous fall days, and I am looking forward to the full mid-autumn festival moon up in the mountains (and forests)!
It was good for some days and rainy for others, but a great visit to PNW!
What a lovely read! I like how you bring that line about trespassing on man's property back to Sugita.
The botanical illustration reminds me, somewhat oddly, of the flowers on the tobacco plant I grow, from seeds native to North America. Beautiful.
Thank you, Antonia! I'm glad you liked the trespassing theme.
I find botanical illustrations like this one very beguiling!
First thank you for the Van Gogh — I’d not seen it before and it is glorious. I love the whole meander around the world of horse chestnuts especially ending where you mention they are called Buckeyes in the US. I have one across the creek. Love this post!
Thank you so much, Bonne! 🙏
Jeffrey, I am charmed all over again. And this time around I have confers on the brain. Today outside a winery shop in Rioja, my English-born husband stood under a chestnut tree—and was hit on the shoulder by a conker that unleashed childhood memories. How beautiful conkers are. I had to say it.
What a delightful moment of memory for your husband! I've been in Vancouver this week and it's been lovely to see horse chestnut trees here too. They seem to throw generous branches around our memories.
If you ever make it to Toronto, you’ll receive a warm welcome.
🙏Thank you, Rona! I'd love to see the east coast and maritime regions someday
Atlantic Canada reminds me of New England, especially Maine.
We lived in Birmingham, England many years ago. There was a giant "conker tree" in the park near our house and I learned all about conkers from the neighbor kids. Good memories, thank you!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Kelli!
My grandparents had a few of these trees and we couldn’t walk around barefoot in the back part of the yard because of those spiky shells, but we loved picking them when they were still greenish and we could peel them off.
Thank you for sharing that vivid memory, Deirdre.
What a delightful read. I could almost feel the smooth-as-bone shine turning in my fingers as I read this. How painful those dried conker weapons must’ve been! And my goodness, that mochimochi tree illustration is mesmerizing. I was hoping the end of that tale would be as magical as the tree itself, almost lifting one into the night sky with its fractalling (I just made that word up!) reach.
Thank you, Kimberly, for the kind comment and for, as ale, adding to the richness of our shared language
Just as good on a second read, I had never heard of conkers before. Since last year, I have run into the term several times, perhaps there is a resurgence of the fun or memories. Safe travels, Jeffrey.
Thank you, Leslie! Nice to think of conkers making a comeback 🙂
I remember really enjoying this piece last time. It reminded me of time as a kid collecting gum nuts (we called them honkey nuts). Reading it again, I was also brought back tk nostalgic memories of my childhood playing around in the bush where the honkey nuts were. You write about your childhood experiences really well, Jeffrey. It’s a treat to read. :)
Thank you for your kind words, Michael! I must find out about gum nuts!
If you find out anything interesting, I’d love to read about it haha :)
Thank you Jeffrey as a new subscriber I was drawn to your Chestnut 🌰 stories … I live by the River Wye in Hereford England and love the chestnut season collecting as many shiny orbs as I can fit into my pockets on my early morning dog walks … they then cover my nature table till they wrinkle and I’m delighted when I wear an old winter jacket and find last years trophy snuggled in my pocket.
Thank you for reading and subscribing, Janine! The conkers are almost irresistible, aren’t they?
“my childhood exploits as a conker-pursuing outlaw.” Haha this brought memories! The buckeye tree of my youth was indeed on someone else’s property. We’d drill holes, though I can’t remember what we used, probably my older brother’s had a tool, and made necklaces from our buckeyes. Jeffrey, what a fun read, and I love the history of the haiku, and the art. Good morning and safe travels. And now I know you have a twin! xo
Thank you, Maureen, good to know you were a fellow conker outlaw! Now safely back in Tokyo.