Learning from the Forest (Coexistence)

Yakushima, the island located in the south of Japan was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993. And also its virgin forest is famous for where the movie “Princess Mononoke” took place. Every year, many travelers from all over the world are coming to enjoy its great nature. We focus on the culture and people living on this wonderful island and deliver it by videos.

―”If you look at one creature, it might be good at one thing but bad at another. In a different environment, they might be good at a different thing but bad at something else. Living things live together in an environment that they can thrive in. Let’s think about this in terms of our generation. When you think about it, there are people that are good at some things while being poor at others. You begin to understand that this acceptable.” –Kenichiro Mogi

Neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi talks about the enchantment of Yakushima
Presented by Yakushima Broadcasting Station

Ideal State of Being

Ah, this is it! Wow! Really beautiful, crystal-clear water.

Okay. Let’s drink a little.

Ah, it’s delicious and a little sweet! Wow, this is so good! It’s worth coming all the way here just to drink this. This is water that nature made, you know. Delicious.

It makes you feel revitalized, doesn’t it?

Now we’ve come deep into the forest of Yakushima. The further you come into the forest the more peaceful your mind gets.

Essentially, I think about trying to return to an ideal state of being. After all, I feel like we human beings are really pushing ourselves just to live in an urban civilization.

Various Living Places

Also, there are various creatures in this natural environment. The diversity of these creatures is another thing that we have learned. The forest is made of up numerous niches and living spaces, and there are various creatures that adapt to these niches.

If you look at one creature, it might be good at one thing but bad at another. In a different environment, they might be good at a different thing but bad at something else. Living things live together in an environment that they can thrive in. Let’s think about this in terms of our generation. When you think about it, there are people that are good at some things while being poor at others. You begin to understand that this acceptable.

There is no need for one person to do everything. We begin to understand that we should just do what we are good at, in the way that is best us. There is one more thing. A forest is full of things coexisting together. No living creature is a waste. No living creature can survive on its own. They exist by supporting other living creatures, and sometimes live while competing. I think this is the essence of the forest.

Essence of Human Society

This is also of course what the essence of human society should be like. No matter the person or the society, no one individual lives on their own. It’s about helping and at times competing again each other, while finding a balance to live harmoniously in the end.

When you look at the way it is here in the forest, you realize that this is the way our society should be. Actually, this sort of thing is about more than just visiting the forest and thinking about how beautiful it is. It is about going to the forest from childhood, and learning about living creatures, including ourselves, and taking advantage of this knowledge.

I think that it is necessary for the children of the 21st century to continue to explore human civilization and what society should be like. For those adults that have forgotten this and go on living each day, the forest of Yakushima is an excellent place to reflect on the origin of living things once again.