If you find yourself in a haunted house, there is always hope of escaping through a window or a door. But if you get lost in a forest filled with ghosts, there may be no way back. It is this sense of hopeless vastness that makes some forests particularly frightening, and sometimes they themselves uphold the sinister reputation of certain places. "Enchanted" forests exist in the folklore of many countries. Some of these forests are genuinely eerie, such as Aokigahara in Japan.
The site of death and intrigue? The eerie legend of Aokigahara, Japan's infamous suicide forest!
At the base of Mount Fuji lies Aokigahara, often referred to as the "suicide forest," which draws visitors with its serene ambiance and mystical atmosphere. Yet, beneath the beauty of nature lies a tragic reality: hundreds of individuals choose this forest for their "final journey." But what drives them to make this choice?
https://www.techinsider.ru/science/1667181-mesto-smertei-i-haipa-jutkaya-legenda-aokigahara-lesa-samoubiic-v-yaponii/2024-11-23 08:19:28
3 allthatsinteresting.com Chilling Myths and Legends of Aokigahara Forest in Japan
Stretching at the foot of Mount Fuji, Aokigahara covers 30 square kilometers of dense woods known as the "Sea of Trees." The forest captivates not only locals but also Western journalists with its silence: "The thick canopies let through only rare beams of light, while the porous volcanic rock absorbs sounds, creating an atmosphere of seclusion," tourists write. For them, Aokigahara is a place of stunning landscapes, with views of Mount Fuji, hiking trails, and icy caves.
- The local legends of Aokigahara associate the forest with "yūrei" — Japanese spirits of the deceased.
- It is believed that they appear in the forest due to the ancient Japanese custom of "ubasute," where elderly relatives were left to die in remote locations.
- Although historians doubt the authenticity of the "ubasute" custom, it has become part of Japanese folklore, further fueling the forest's sinister reputation.
4 allthatsinteresting.comAokigahara became associated with suicides in the 1960s, largely linked to Seicho Matsumoto's novel "Kuroi Umi no Ki," or "Black Sea of Trees."
Since the 1970s, volunteers and police have conducted annual searches for bodies in Aokigahara. For instance, in 2004, a record was set: police found 108 bodies. However, local journalists speculated that the actual number of deceased may be higher, as many bodies remain unnoticed in dense underbrush or become prey for animals.
5 allthatsinteresting.com Strange Tales from the Forest
The Japanese authorities are attempting to combat the grim statistics. Signs urging individuals to reconsider their decisions have been placed at the forest entrances: "Think of your family and loved ones." Police patrols regularly survey the forest for individuals who may need help. Yet, despite these efforts, Aokigahara remains the second most frequented site for suicides in the world, after the Golden Gate Bridge in the USA.
6 Even those who visit the Japanese forest for its natural beauty may encounter tragic remnants of the past: scattered personal belongings, photographs, and shoes of the deceased.
7 allthatsinteresting.com Disrespecting the Memory
The sinister reputation of Aokigahara has led to high-profile incidents, such as the scandal involving popular blogger Logan Paul. In 2017, he posted a video on YouTube filmed with the body of a deceased person in the Japanese forest. The recording sparked outrage due to the blogger's inappropriate behavior and his irresponsible attitude toward the tragedy. This incident served as a reminder of ethics and respect in such situations, leading the blogger to promptly record a video apology.
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