We hired a guide because many people get lost on the poorly marked trails in the thick underbrush. Eji-san was a knowledgeable and peaceful guide.
It seemed as if every inch of the forest was covered in green. Leaves, trees, rocks...nothing could escape the 700+ types of moss that grow here. This forest inspired the famous Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki (who did "Spirited Away" & "My Friend Totoro") to make the movie Princess Mononoke. It's a story about a princess raised by wolves in this forest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Mononoke
Even though it wasn't raining, many of our pictures had theses white halos. Legend has it that only very spiritual people can capture these woodland fairies or spirits on film...
At the end of the hike we stopped to drink some mountain fresh water, also known to the locals as the fountain of youth. We'll see if Miyuki ages any time soon.
1 comment:
Hi! I'm one of the Dr. McHenry's ( tracey's)students who is originally from Japan, whose name is Mana. The trip to Yakusima looks really fun. I bet you visited more places than I did when I was in Japan. The picture of monkeys reminded me my hometown, Osaka. When I was little, my mother snd I went to the place where there were many monkeys. Unfortunately, monkeys were curious and little aggressive; they stole our lunch. I’m still scared of monkeys, but it is a good memory. Seems like you are having a great time in Japan. Thank you, that I enjoy looking at your pictures.
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