data-credit=”Horizon Images/Motion/Alamy”/>
The 2,000-Year-Old Jindai Cherry Tree Shown in Fumi Koda’s Book Tree
Credit: Horizon Image/Motion/Alamy
Fumi Koda, a notable Japanese writer who passed away in 1990, was the daughter of the famous author Rohan Koda. One of her final works, tree, documents her journey visiting renowned trees throughout Japan. This book was recently translated into English for the first time by Charlotte Gough.
“A tree goes through its life without uttering a word,” Koda reflects. “Even amidst life’s twists and turns, they remain silent. I find that both inspiring and melancholic.”
tree is filled with insightful digressions, making it a profound account of an encounter with trees that only someone nearing the end of life seems to articulate effectively. This work falls under the genre of Japanese literature known as essay, which promotes thought and spontaneity, often without a conventional plot structure. Koda’s writing possesses a lightness that feels casual yet reveals remarkable originality and fresh perspectives.
Koda’s reflections often contrast the frailty of her own experience with the enduring strength of the trees she encounters. During her visits, such as to the legendary Jomon Sugi—a cypress tree on Yakushima Island—she expresses being overwhelmed. This remarkable tree may be anywhere from 2,000 to 7,000 years old, and Koda shares, “To be honest, it was frightening.”
On another journey, she visits the [2000-year-old Jindai cherry tree](https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/staff-journal/jindaizakurar1eng.html), celebrated as the oldest in Japan. Koda poetically describes feeling suspended between beauty and apprehension as she gazes at its gnarled roots and delicate flowers. She encapsulates the timelessness of Miharu Takizakura, another historic cherry tree in Fukushima, noting, “These trees seem to have witnessed countless generations, coexisting through the ages.”
Many have been drawn to Koda’s tree after its appearance in Wim Wenders’ 2024 film, perfect days (also highly recommended). This work invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of trees.
Please note: We may earn a commission if you purchase through the links provided on this page.
Source: www.newscientist.com
