*悠久の時を生きる
屋久島は一年で400日雨が降るらしい。計算的にはおかしいが、それ位雨が降るということだろう。私は世代的に宮崎駿監督ど真ん中であり、もののけ姫を想起させる屋久島はいつか訪れたいと思っていた。
屋久島では色々な所で屋久杉の巨木が見られるが、縄文杉を見ようと思うと少し大変である。縄文杉へは山道を往復で10時間以上歩かねばならない。私が縄文杉を見に行った日も、バケツをひっくり返したような雨が降っていた。ただ、雨は太古の森をより一層美しく魅せてくれるので、今思うとラッキーだったのかもしれない。登山開始は朝5時。トロッコ道をテクテク歩き、途中大雨で濁流と化している川を越えて、何とか縄文杉に辿り着いた。
実際に目にすると圧倒的な存在感だった。ただ、縄文杉は3000年の時を生きるがこの場所から動くことが出来ない。人の一生は一瞬だが、自由にどこにでも行ける。人生は短い。交通手段も発達し、とても良い時代を生きているのだから、色々な場所に行かないと勿体ない。
*Living in the Eternal Flow of Time
It is said that Yakushima receives rain for 400 days a year. It may seem absurd mathematically, but it indicates the frequency of rainfall. As a devoted follower of director Hayao Miyazaki, I had always wanted to visit Yakushima, reminiscent of Princess Mononoke.
While Yakusugi (cedar) giant trees can be seen in various places on the island, reaching Jomon Sugi (a particular cedar tree) can be quite challenging. It requires a round trip hike of over 10 hours along mountain trails. On the day I went to see Jomon Sugi, it was pouring rain as if someone had overturned a bucket. However, in retrospect, the rain enhanced the ancient forest's beauty, making me realize it was perhaps lucky. We began the climb at 5 a.m., trudging along the rail tracks and crossing a river that had turned into a torrent due to heavy rain, until we finally reached Jomon Sugi.
In reality, it had an overwhelming presence. However, Jomon Sugi, living for 3,000 years, cannot move from its spot. While a human's life is fleeting, we have the freedom to go anywhere. Life is short. With advanced transportation and the privilege of living in a remarkable era, we can go anywhere as long as we want to.
