As a self-professed tree-hugging, nature-loving fanatic, I’ve always been drawn to the sacred and spiritual dimensions of the natural world. But nothing could have prepared me for the profound revelations I experienced during my recent journey through the enchanting landscapes of Japan. It was there, in the heart of the island nation, that I encountered the Shinto faith and its intricate relationship with the sacred trees known as shinboku.
Uncovering the Essence of Shinto
Let me start by unpacking the essence of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous animistic spiritual tradition. Shinto, which literally means “the way of the kami,” is a fascinating and complex belief system that has no single founder, no official scriptures, and no fixed dogmas. Instead, it is a living, evolving tapestry of traditional Japanese religious practices, beliefs, and life attitudes that are deeply intertwined with the Japanese value system and ways of thinking.
Shinto is often described as polytheistic, with kami – or sacred, divine spirits – residing in various elements of the natural world, from trees and rocks to rivers and mountains. These kami are not necessarily celestial deities, but can also be the spirits of exceptional individuals, ideas, or even natural phenomena. The three major types of Shinto – Shrine Shinto, Sect Shinto, and Folk Shinto – are all interconnected, with Folk Shinto serving as the substructure of the faith and Sect Shinto followers often also being parishioners of particular Shinto shrines.
One of the core beliefs in Shinto is the idea of kanno, which refers to the deep, reverent connection between humans and the natural world, where people feel the blessings and awe-inspiring presence of the kami in their daily lives. This understanding of the sacred in nature is a far cry from the Western notion of a detached, separate “environment” that we need to manage or conquer.
Encountering the Phenomenality of Sacred Trees
It was this profound, experiential essence of Shinto that I discovered during my travels through Japan, particularly in my encounters with the shinboku – the sacred trees revered as the dwelling places of kami.
As an arborist and self-proclaimed “TreeGirl,” I’ve had the privilege of communing with countless ancient, majestic trees around the world. But nothing could have prepared me for the phenomenality – the overwhelming sense of the sacred, the divine, and the otherworldly – that I experienced in the presence of these Japanese shinboku.
One of my first encounters was with a magnificent Hiba tree (Thujopsis dolabrata) in the northern Aomori prefecture. As I approached the tree, a powerful energy field radiated outward, stopping me in my tracks and filling my solar plexus with a deep, almost audible vibration. I sensed the masculine, protective, yet loving energy of the kami inhabiting this tree, and felt utterly humbled and unworthy of even attempting to climb its twisted, knuckle-like branches.
Similarly, at the Mt. Haguro Shrine in Akagi Prefecture, I encountered the towering, 1,000-year-old Sugi tree (Cryptomeria japonica) known as “Grandpa Sugi.” The energy of this tree was no less powerful, but it felt more towering and upper-worldly, like a cathedral of sacred presence. I was struck by the realization that each shinboku has its own unique character, personality, and energetic vibration – a testament to the diverse, dynamic nature of the kami themselves.
Honoring the Kami through Ritual and Reverence
As I delved deeper into my encounters with these sacred trees, I couldn’t help but be struck by the elaborate Shinto rituals and protocols that surround them. From the torii gates and shimenawa ropes marking the sacred spaces, to the bowing, clapping, and offering practices, the reverence and respect shown to the kami was palpable.
In many cases, the trees themselves were shrines unto themselves, with hollow cavities or remarkable shapes that were believed to be the dwelling places of the kami. I was invited to enter these sacred spaces, but only after humbly requesting permission and being welcomed by the energy of the tree. The experience was often dreamlike and otherworldly, as if I had stepped through a portal into a fairy realm.
One particular encounter with the Grand Katsura tree in Hyogo Prefecture left an indelible mark on me. This incredible, 2,000-year-old tree was composed of over 80 trunks that had regrown from a single, ancient stump, creating a hollow, cavernous interior that felt like a sacred sanctuary. As I carefully navigated the mossy, cavern-like interior, I was struck by the feminine, regal energy of the kami, and the sense of being welcomed into a mysterious, elemental world.
The Humbling Power of the Kami
Perhaps the most profound realization I had during my time in Japan was the humbling power of the kami and the deep respect they demand. Despite my decades of experience communing with trees and nature, I found myself repeatedly overwhelmed and humbled in the presence of these shinboku, unable to impose my own will or expectations.
At the Takeo Camphor tree, for example, I had initially planned to photograph myself intertwined with the tree, as I had done with many others. But the sheer holiness and phenomenality of this 3,000-year-old tree left me feeling like a mere speck of dust. I could only approach with the utmost reverence and humility, crouching at the edge of the tree’s cavernous hollow as an offering, rather than daring to climb or embrace it.
This humbling experience was a powerful reminder that the kami are not to be trifled with or taken for granted. They demand our respect, our reverence, and our willingness to listen and learn. And in doing so, they offer us the opportunity to reconnect with the sacred, elemental forces of the natural world – a reconnection that is perhaps more vital now than ever before.
Honoring the Kami, Honoring Nature
As I reflect on my journey through the sacred landscapes of Japan, I’m left with a profound sense of awe and gratitude. The Shinto faith, with its intricate web of rituals, beliefs, and reverence for the natural world, has deeply challenged and transformed my own understanding of the sacred.
In a world that increasingly seeks to separate humanity from nature, the Shinto tradition offers a powerful reminder of our inherent, inseparable connection to the more-than-human world. The kami, with their diverse personalities, energies, and dwelling places, are not mere objects to be managed or controlled, but living, breathing presences to be honored, respected, and welcomed into our lives.
My hope is that, as I continue my TreeGirl adventures and share these experiences with others, I can help to rekindle a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence for the natural world – a reverence that acknowledges the sacred, the divine, and the profound mystery that lies at the heart of our shared existence. For in honoring the kami, we honor the very essence of what it means to be alive on this magnificent, bountiful planet.
