The Spindle tree (Euonymus sieboldianus) belongs to Celastraceae (the Bittersweet family). It is a tall deciduous tree that is distributed throughout Japan, as well as the southern Korean Peninsula and Sakhalin. This tree grows in hillside to montane woodland edges and can reach 3-5 m in height. The leaves are elliptic to obovate and opposite with fine toothed edges. The small yellowish green flowers come in May and June. The fruits are capsules with four ribs. The pink arils split open and come out reddish seeds when mature. The timber was used for a wood bow.
Photo 11th shows the "Shiro-mi-mayumi" (white-fruited spindle tree) with a white aril,
and photo 15th shows the horticultural variety "Fuiri-mayumi" (variegated spindle tree).