As Shinto represents strong bindings between people and nature, forests and groves are considered sacred places, often holding Shinto shrines. It is within these areas where Kami exist, and for thousands of years have been left untouched. However, it is common in modern times that the environment is destroyed for building larger and more modern cities. One such area is the sacred groves and forests which hold the very kami which Shinto seeks to respect.

In the year 2005, EXPO 2005 AICHI was held near Nagoya City in order ways to maintain the environment of the earth. It was here that Shasou Gakkai had the chance to participate by constructing five itemized exhibits with the theme "Japanese culture to live in the forest". Our exhibits, "The sacred forests and groves high above" and "Thousand year-long forests" tried to bring the Shinto culture into our greening earth. We also tried to promote the idea that the forest has a role similar to a mother’s womb, in that it produces lives with the grace of the deities, which is the core idea of Shinto. We also introduced the Hi-Vision film entitled "Japan, Land of Forests" at the exhibition, which you are about to view.

The two disks in this set of DVDs contain the following 5 (five) parts.
Part 1: "Yamato, nestled in the forest."
We explain the significance of the Yamato plain as the holy place, where an ear of rice represents a newborn child. We also introduce a prayer for their healthy growth as well as show the ideal religious climate with adequate supply of water and winds.
Part 2: "The festivals of the forests."
You will see how Japanese view nature, the Shinto rituals and how Kami are manifested from mountains, forests and water by watching festivals and artistic performances that have been held all around Japan.
Part 3: "Trees of the Kami, Forests of the Kami."
We visited various places where trees and forests are adored as the sacred creatures, specifically presenting the brave festival of Suwa Onbashira Matsuri, in which huge trees play the essential roles.
Part 4: "Forests and Modern Civilization."
In this story, you will recognize how the sacred forests and groves have been endangered in the name of modernization.
Part 5: "Stories of reforestation."
We emphasized in this part the voluntary movements carried out to recreate the spoiled ocean areas under the banners of "the forests as lovers of ocean" and "reforestation of the mountain".

We feel great pleasure that this set of DVDs was presented at EXPO 2005 AICHI and has been well been appreciated by the viewers those who are concerned about the environment. And, to allow as many as possible to experience this series, we have also captioned it in English subtitle. It has been said that if the 21st century is to have any hope for humanity, we will have to make this century a peaceful and environmentally friendly one. Our current situation is due only to human negligence, and as such, can be changed if we truly wish to.