Tree Hugging

House and shop interiors made of wood have a warm, cozy feel, making you feel comfortable and relaxed. Nothing compares to the warmth you feel when walking on wooden floors barefoot. I love the sea and the soothing sound of the crashing waves, but sitting in the mountains or bush surrounded by trees is a different kind of comfort. Trees and greenery have a healing effect and recharge us with a positive energy. The other day, I strolled around the downtown Kobe area for the first time in ages. My friends had never been to Ikuta Shrine, so we went in for a look. I could not resist visiting the sacred forest behind it. Ikuta-no-mori (or what’s left of it) was made famous in Heike Monogatari for its role in the Gempei War. It is so magical, all but a faint hum of engines from the encircling city can be heard. The trees embraced us with their shadows and warmth. How could I not succumb to the sudden urge to indulge in some tree hugging?

家や店の内装が主に木材なら、暖かい気持ちになります。心地良くてリラックスできます。 板張りの床の上に裸足で感じる温もりは他と比べ物がありません。海が好きなんですが、山や森で木に囲まれるのがもっと好きです。木は癒しの元、元気が出るポジティブなエネルギーを持っています。先日神戸を久しぶりに散策しました。生田神社の後ろに広がる、源平物語で有名な生田の森に入りました。街の中に位置しているのに、静かです。木の陰と温もりに包まれた雰囲気に影響されたか分かりませんが、突然思い切り森の木を抱きたくなりました。

The Japanese version appeared in the April 2013 issue of the goodspeed monthly newsletter. 日本語バージョンはグッドスピードレター2013年4月号に掲載されました。