Sacred 450-Year-Old Tree Collapses at Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine

A revered camphor tree, estimated to be 450 years old and a significant symbol of Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine, has toppled within the sacred "Tadasu no Mori" forest. Shrine officials discovered the ancient tree, which stood approximately 20 meters tall with a trunk 5 meters wide, in a fallen state around 10 a.m. on the 16th.

While the exact cause is still under investigation, shrine authorities believe that aging and internal decay at the roots, described as "hollowing," led to the tree's instability. In recent years, the tree's growth had become unbalanced, with only the southern branches thriving, causing it to lose equilibrium. Despite efforts to reinforce it with support timbers, the tree ultimately succumbed to its own weight.

Fortunately, the collapse did not result in any injuries. Shrine officials expressed relief that no one was harmed. The fallen tree was a prominent feature of the forest, distinguished by a sacred rope, or "shimenawa," tied around its trunk, signifying its status as a divine tree and a spiritual icon for the local community.

Following the incident, the shrine plans to trim and clear the remaining branches. A purification ritual, known as "harai," will be performed at the site. The area will then be preserved as a "sacred tree remains," allowing visitors to continue to visit and pay their respects to the memory of the ancient tree.

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No one was injured, which is truly fortunate.