Japan 10: Meiji Jingu Shrine

 

Ava DeCamilis: 

In the heart of Tokyo lies the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Past the first Torii gate, a path through a vast forest leads you to the largest Shinto Shrine in the city. Just off of the main pathway, the tree canopy becomes so dense it’s difficult to see the sky. Birds fly throughout the understory and sing for the shrine’s visitors. The forest looks and feels as if it has a long history, yet it was planted by humans just 100 years ago. 

Extensive planning went into the planting of this forest. Led by Dr. Honda Seiroku, the project considered the next 200 years when selecting species and envisioning what the area would look like in the future. Various tree species were selected to help fast-track succession and encourage biodiversity. 

The well-established ecosystem is enjoyed by not only flora and fauna, but human visitors as well. It is a place for Tokyo residents to escape the heat, birdwatch, and take a step away from the bustling city. Additionally, the forest maintains an added layer of protection due to the sacredness of the area. There is no risk of logging or development, granting the forest the rare privilege of a guaranteed future to flourish. This is hard to imagine in the United States, where our forests are treated as more and more disposable as the days go on. 

With my extensive time spent in environmental studies classes, especially with Professor Stanger, I’ve come to frequently question what makes something “natural”, or “wild”. What is “wild” has changed dramatically over the course of history, and so have the connotations of the word. What is “natural”, is arguably up for more debate. Is a relatively young planted forest “natural” or “wild”? My first instinct was no. Some quick questioning of my own thoughts however brought me to a different conclusion. 

This forest is rich with biodiversity, It grows greenery at all levels, and is buzzing with life. My recent work doing environmental restoration has shown me the ways in which human influence lends a caring hand in creating strong and healthy ecosystems, rather than tainting them with human touch. In my opinion, there’s no need to be stingy with these labels. Let’s call this place wild, and appreciate all that it provides for Tokyo’s human, and non-human residents.