Development and Tree Cutting

Tokyo's greenery is disappearing

Central Tokyo has a relatively large amount of greenery, but that landscape is changing. A large number of trees in the outer garden of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo will be cut down due to redevelopment. The number of trees to be felled is said to be 4,000 or more, including small trees, but it is not certain. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024, with overall completion expected in 2036.

The scenery of the ginkgo trees is wonderful.
There are also great cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy this view.

The autumn leaves are also great.

The healing benefits of greenery in the city center

Meiji Shrine is surrounded by an artificial forest, which was planned so that many types of trees would complement each other, resulting in a rich natural environment. It is a home for many insects and luminous objects. For those who visit there, it is a healing experience that restores their humanity.

If there was no greenery left in the city center, people would feel a sense of loss. You won't be able to deeply feel true richness in an environment consisting only of artificial buildings.

In Shinto, trees are sometimes worshiped as objects of worship.

Shrine in Designed Forest in Tokyo

The original torii was made from an over 1,200-year-old cypress tree
cut down in Alishan National Scenic Area in Taiwan.
The second torii also used a 1,500-year-old cypress tree
found in the Alishan National Scenic Area in Taiwan. 
The current torii is made from Yoshino cedar in Nara, Japan.

Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan. The enshrined deity is Emperor Meiji, and it was built on November 1, 1920, after the death of Emperor Meiji. The site of Meiji Jingu is 73 hectares, most of which is a rare forest in central Tokyo.

There is an approach to the shrine right next to Harajuku Station.

Intentionally naturalized forest in Tokyo

Most of the shrine grounds are forests intentionally converted from artificial forests to natural forests. Leading landscaping scholars gathered to create a new forest in the city center for the construction of the shrine. They considered the placement of broad-leaved and coniferous trees and the timing of planting, and designed a self-propagating forest from various trees gathered from all over Japan (Not only from Japan but also from Taiwan). Thanks to this, besides the Imperial Palace, it is this Meiji Shrine that has a large green space in central Tokyo. Creatures that are not usually seen in central Tokyo continue to live here, making it a very valuable example from the point of view of zoology and entomology. This self-organizing forest concept of Meiji Jingu reminds me of Project by SONY, Synecoculture™ and Augmented Ecosystems. It may be a Japanese idea. In other words, for Japan, shrines are the very relationship with the forest that nurtures nature.

Harajuku Station near the approach is not a big station,
but it has a lively and fashionable atmosphere.
 One of my favorite stations in Tokyo.

The approach leading to the main shrine
is lined with large trees, and it feels good.
The air is especially clean in the morning.

The approach to the shrine is lined with sake barrels
donated by sake breweries all over Japan.
There is a deep connection between sake and God.
It is also a reverence for nature.

Recently, not only sake but also wine has been dedicated to Meiji Jingu.

Meotokusu is a pair of trees that symbolize a happy couple,
symbolizing the close relationship
between the enshrined deity Emperor Meiji and his wife.
From a distance, the branches and leaves
of these two trees overlap and look like one tree.
In fact, when I stood in front of these trees and put my hands together,
I could feel the kindness.

There are also restaurants and cafes on the grounds of Meiji Jingu.
There are also chairs where you can sit and relax,
which is perfect for resting when you get tired from walking.

There are also souvenir shops along the approach to Meiji Jingu.
There are many goods related to shrines.

Tokyo's recommended spot, Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu is the best on a sunny morning. I was able to touch something deep in my heart. I will never forget the pleasant feeling of sunlight at that time. The cafe at Harajuku station is also wonderful.

I went back to Harajuku station and entered a cafe.
Sarutahiko Cafe.

The Old Barrel Cafe was delicious.
 I like the smell of rum.

Sarutahiko Cafe in Harajuku has Wifi and a power strip,
so it's very convenient.
The interior is spacious and comfortable.
I also liked that the restrooms were clean.

Musashi‐mitake‐jinja shrine, mysterious area in Tokyo

Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine, mysterious area in Tokyo

There is a mysterious area that can be reached in two and a half hours by orange JR Chuo Line（from Tokyo or Shinjuku to Mitake）, bus (from Mitake to Takimoto station), and Mitake Tozan Railway（from Takimoto station to Mitakesan Station）from central Tokyo. It is Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine and its surroundings.　

 Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine is located on the summit of Mt. Mitake
with an altitude of 929m and is a symbol of mountain worship.

From Ome Station onwards,
the number of trains decreases,
and the time flows slowly.

Early in the morning on weekends, 

passengers head for Mt. Ontake using the train.

Behind the main shrine of Musashi Mitake Shrine,
there are many historic shrines.
It is a good idea to visit each one.

Stroll around Mt. Mitake

After getting off the Mitake Tozan Railway at Mitakesan Station, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to  Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine. 

The air is fresh in the early morning forest bathing. It is also good to listen to the chirping of wild birds. 

The dense fog that rolls in from the trees is very mysterious. 

There is a huge zelkova tree on the way.　It is called Mitake no Jindai Keyaki.  According to one theory, the tree is over 1000 years old.

This giant zelkova tree is considered a sacred tree.

There are many temple lodgings in the mountains in this area, so staying overnight is recommended if you want to take your time and explore the area. In addition to the shrine, there are various destinations such as Rock Garden, Ayahiro Waterfall, Nanayo Waterfall, Mitakedaira, etc. 

The vivid green and soft moss is mysterious and beautiful.

Mitake Gorge Trail

Here along Mitake Gorge Trail,
large rocks and precipices combine
with greenery and clear streams,
creating an abundance of nature.

On the way back, it is good to walk instead of using the bus.
After exiting the torii gate at the entrance of the mountain,
there is a promenade along the Mitake Valley.

There is a Mitake Gorge Trail. It takes 3 hours to walk the entire course.  The sidewalk is narrow, so be careful not to fall. 

The sidewalk is narrow, so be careful not to fall.

The valley is also a mecca for rafting (rapid rafting on rubber boats) and canoeing. Thankfully, there are toilets along the way. 

There are several toilets along the trail.
The toilets are well maintained and comfortable.

There are also cafes and restaurants along the valley where you can enjoy the scenery. I especially recommend Sawanoien. There are sake breweries, sake tasting, kaiseki cuisine (a traditional Japanese multi-course meal), cafes, and galleries, etc.

There is an entrance to Sawanoien
from Mitake Gorge Trail near Sawanoi Station.

It's easy and comfortable to buy a meal ticket for
rice balls, oden, udon, soy milk, sake, etc.
from a vending machine,
and eat at a table with a parasol
while enjoying the natural scenery.

At this garden’s café,
you can enjoy soymilk latte and soymilk cheesecake
while overlooking the clear stream.

Summary

The area around Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine is a mysterious area that is easily accessible from central Tokyo. When I go there, I feel like the unnatural time that I was used to is returned to nature. Life is not that long, so I want to spend more time enjoying the nature of the earth.

Beyond Agriculture that Lasted more than 10,000 Years

Mankind stands at a crossroads

Even though human beings are a nuisance to the earth, the earth accepts humans.　However, it's about to reach its limit. It is beyond the permissible limit, and I think that human beings will disappear from the earth as it is.　It's time to change common sense.

Beyond common sense of agriculture

It's time to change common sense. One of them is agriculture. Humans have engaged in agriculture for more than 10,000 years. By clearing the forest, they have grown wheat, rice and vegetables. And plowing became a living business. At that point, people were eager to artificially control nature. The more artificially controlled it is, the more labor it takes and the less vital it is.

Normally Japanese farming uses many fertilizers and pesticides. On the other hand, some farmers grow safe crops. However, their farming work is generally more difficult than conventional farming. Because they don't use chemicals, they have to pull out weeds and crush insects by hand.

Masanobu Fukuoka's natural way of life

Natural farming practiced by Masanobu Fukuoka（1913-2008) has no artificial control. So he doesn't pull weeds or kill insects. His farm is like a forest, with a wide variety of flora and fauna. And his own dwelling is so small and spartan that it blends into the forest. His way of life, which he leaves to nature, is like a hermit. He sowed clay dumplings made from various seeds in the soil. Clay prevents the seeds from drying out and protects them until they sprout. And each seed naturally sprouts at the right time. He actually tried to green the desert with dumplings of more than 100 kinds of various species in more than a dozen countries such as Greece, Spain, Thailand, Kenya, India, Somalia, China and Africa.

　

Source: Masanobu Fukuoka Talks About the One Straw Revolution

"drying mud seed balls in the shed" by Suyash Dwivedi is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Project by SONY, Synecoculture™ and Augmented Ecosystems

According to SONY SCL, Synecoculture™ is as follows:

Synecoculture is a method of farming that produces useful plants while making multifaceted use of the self-organizing ability of the earth’s ecosystem.  It is characterized by a comprehensive ecosystem utilization method that considers not only food production but also the impacts on the environment and health.

 More specifically, "Synecoculture is a method of open-field agriculture that - without the use of any plowing, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, or anything else except for seeds and saplings - allows for the creation and management of ecosystems that bring out essential qualities of the plants growing in natural state, and produces practically useful crops in ecologically optimized environment." (Source: Synecoculture Manual)

Renewing agriculture to rebuild a broken environment Sony Computer Science Laboratories,Inc.(Sony) (5:46)

I hope the project will spread to the world as soon as possible before the destruction of humankind is certain.

Conclusion

Nature exerts a powerful self-organizing power in a wide variety of combinations. And it is ideal for people to live with nature. If we understand and practice that, I think that human beings will continue to live on the earth.

Earthing, unity with Gaia

Walking barefoot on the grass makes a lot of sense.

What is Earthing

Earthing is connecting to the ground. Earthing is easy. Take off your socks and shoes on the lawn and touch the ground directly with your bare feet. You can also touch the ground with your bare hands, or touch the trees and leaves.

Modern Life separated from nature

With modernization, the road surface has become asphalt, shoes are made of artificial rubber, and people are rarely connected to nature in their daily lives. Furthermore, with the advent of mobile phones and home appliances, various electromagnetic waves are flying around us. An increasing number of people are suffering from unexplained fatigue and sleep disorders.

The following video, "down to earth," is about how earthing is important to us:

Like the trees rooted in the earth

The trees are rooted in the earth. Because there is a natural source of energy on the ground. It is as essential as sunlight, air, water and food. Therefore, it is natural for us to connect with the earth, just as trees are rooted in the earth. To connect with nature, you have to connect with the electromagnetics of the earth, not with artificial devices.

Conclusion

Modernization is an anti-natural system. Why not get out of this system for just a little bit? In other words, it awakens us with a sense of connection with GAIA. By Earthing.

Man-made disasters like natural disasters

Human forest development, not heavy rain, caused disasters

July 3, 2021 Heavy rain struck Japan. However, it was not natural but shallow human greed that caused serious damage. Debris flow occurred  in Atami City, Shizuoka: About 80 households were washed away.

It was a large amount of debris flow that struck Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture on the weekend of July 3.　It is water mixed with a large amount of earth and sand that flows on the slope with terrifying momentum.　

Atami is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Fuji, hot springs, and fresh seafood dishes.

At first glance, it looks like a disaster caused by heavy rain, but it is a disaster caused by human forest development.　　

Eighty households have been washed away, nine dead have been found, and nearly 20 are still missing.

The company that illegally dumped a large amount of industrial waste on the mountain has already gone bankrupt. 

The video below is explain how the company that illegally dumped a large amount of industrial waste on the mountain has already gone bankrupt. Therefore, the person who created the cause of the disaster is not punished. The darkness is deep. You can choose subtitles in your native language:

Industrial waste and forest development and the darkness of business

The video below is a cartoon depiction of such a business. You can choose subtitles in your native language:

Humanbug univ _ dark cartoon

Conclusion

The darkness of industrial waste, forest development and business is deeply linked. As long as the rules of social games are the pursuit of capitalism, it is difficult to protect the rich forests. 

There are man-made disasters such as natural disasters. It is important to know the facts at least. I wish each person good sense.

Rich Forests for Soil, Fundamental Solution for Yellow Sand and PM2.5

Perhaps the speed of the collapse of nature in the world is increasing. 

The new coronavirus is well-publicized, but I'm more interested in "yellow sand" and "PM2.5". So I check those updates as much as the weather forecast.　

Tokyo where the air becomes muddy with yellow sand 

Air pollution is now serious all over the world 

Air Pollution in World: Real-time Air Quality Index Visual Map (access: May 10, 2021)

Difference between "yellow sand" and "PM2.5"

"Yellow sand" is sand and mineral particles that are blown by the wind blowing in the Uighur district, around Mongolia, and in dry areas such as deserts inside China. It will be transported to Japan from February to May by the westerlies. On the other hand, "PM2.5" is a general term for particulate matter with a particle size of 2.5 μm or less that floats in the atmosphere. Both cause health hazards such as runny nose, itchy eyes, fatigue, etc.

Countermeasures

Countermeasures include:

• Check yellow sand and PM2.5 information every day.

• Japan Meteorological Agency | Yellow sand information 
• PM2.5 distribution prediction -Japan Weather Association tenki.jp

• On days with a lot of yellow sand and PM2.5, go out as short as possible.
• Do not open the window on days when there is a lot of yellow sand and PM2.5.
• Dry the laundry indoors, not outside.
• Use a PM2.5 compatible mask.
• Immediately after returning home, wash your hands, gargle, eyes, and face.
• Use a PM2.5 compatible air purifier indoors.
• Wear glasses when you go out, etc.

Countermeasures for yellow sand and PM2.5

What is a Fundamental solution?

Deforestation is said to contribute to air pollution. From another point of view, forests have an air purification function that absorbs harmful pollutant gases and detoxifies them, and dust is adsorbed by leaves.

So how can we regenerate the forest abundantly? 

Small insects and microorganisms decompose the fallen leaves to enrich the soil. Most of tree-planting activities, which are common environmental protection activities, are unfortunately wrong. Because they plant cypress that does not fall leaves.

Rich forests made by fallen leaves enrich the soil, store water in the soil, run clean rivers and join the sea. Therefore, forests are closely related to the environment of rivers, the sea and the atmosphere.　In other words, we will see the beautiful sea and know the rich forest.

Rich forests made by fallen leaves enrich the soil,
store water in the soil,
run clean rivers and join the sea.

Insects and microorganisms decompose
the fallen leaves to enrich the soil

Forest in Japan now

The forest area of Japan is about 25 million hectares, and 67% of Japan's land and two-thirds of the land are forests.  Even in Japan, which is said to have many forests, large-scale logging and planting of remote forests has been carried out in the last 100 years for economic reasons. 

As a result, it has destroyed a large amount of the original nature. In unhealthy plantations with only coniferous trees such as cypress, the function of storing water and biodiversity are reduced, and weather damage such as fallen trees and collapses is likely to occur.

Autumn leaves are a sign of the richness of the soil. 

What I hope when the sky becomes muddy

One thing I can't help but hope when the sky becomes muddy. It is a rich forest.

Conclusion

Recently, yellow sand and PM2.5 have begun to afflict us. Perhaps the speed of the collapse of nature in the world is increasing.  The fundamental solution is to expand the forest where the fallen leaves enrich the soil. Rich forests enrich the sky, rivers, seas and the earth.