Thinking About Reforestation in the Tenryu Forest

Visiting the Tenryu Forest with Over 300 Years of History

On November 12, 2021, our lumberjack team visited the Suzuki family forest in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture—a forest that has been carefully maintained for over 300 years. Managed by the 12th-generation head, Masayuki Suzuki, it forms a stunning landscape worthy of the name “Tenryu Beautiful Forest.”

In the morning, we observed the felling of a 110-year-old cypress by Suzuki san and Maeda san from Kicoro Forest. The tree was so large that chainsaws alone couldn’t handle it. Instead, two groups worked together, pulling ropes and using a manual winch to carefully lay the massive tree down.

Suzuki san said:
“This tree was planted by my great-grandfather. Whenever I cut it down, I always say, ‘Great-grandfather, I’m sorry, and thank you.’ And I hope that one day, someone who cuts down a tree I planted will also feel gratitude.”

Project Connecting Forests and Cities

In Suzuki san’s forest, reforestation is done by collecting seeds from selected trees and nurturing cuttings to grow high-quality trees—such as large-diameter trees and naturally twisted logs. During this lumberjack activity, we experienced reforestation starting from the rare process of finding seeds and seedlings.

We launched a long-term project to grow the seeds and seedlings we found and eventually return them to the Tenryu Forest. Through this, we discovered a new way to connect people living in forests and cities.

In the afternoon, we explored the forest to find seedlings. We searched for “natural seedlings”—those that grow from seeds fallen from trees—then planted them in pots and carefully brought them back.

These seedlings unexpectedly found themselves living in an urban environment. What does the city need for them to grow healthily? This marks the beginning of the “Project to Think of Forests in the City”—for both people and seedlings.

Thoughts and Beyond
Relay column by NCM employees Participating in the Lumberjack Activities

People have always been drawn to nature. Painter Kaii Higashiyama expressed its depth through color, while composer Olivier Messiaen captured the voices of birds through music.

Why does nature fascinate us so much? I believe it’s because nature is a special place where our senses sharpen, and we can have a dialogue with ourselves. In nature, light, wind, sound, and smell wash over us, gradually permeating our bodies.

This state, I think, is “quiet.” For example, being able to hear all kinds of sounds clearly—that is what quiet means. In this sharpened state, people reflect on themselves and discover new senses.

When I entered the Tenryu Forest for the Cutting Tree Activity, I experienced this sensation repeatedly and deepened my understanding of myself. However, it is very important to consider what “nature” truly is.

Keiji Yoshimoto
Director, Nikken Sekkei Construction Management (NCM)