For this show and tell I have chosen a topic in which I have stumbled upon while viewing documentaries online. While online I have found a documentary on a very interesting topic involving the Aokigahara Forest. The Aokigahara Forest is the most popular place within Japan to commit suicide. When entering the forest there are abandoned cars scattered across the parking lot, where individuals have driven to the forest then left their cars to commit suicide. The parking lot is strewn with these reminders of how big the issue truly is within the culture. As explained in the film suicide in the older days was connected with the samurai. The modern form is new because it is connected to the individual not being able to adapt to society. As one walks into the forest you can see many signs with messages telling individuals that suicide is not the answer. The locals do not commit suicide within the forest. The locals are told to not come to the forest because of this issue. They are told as children that it is a scary place to avoid. Overall the numbers have been staggering amounting to 100 suicides in the last 20 years. I believe the most fascinating part about the issue is the people who enter the forest who are indecisive about dying. They wrap tape around the trees as they move into the forest to find there way out if they decide to not commit suicide. Overall the issue is very disturbing. It has continued to grow within the eyes of individuals as the numbers climb.
How has suicide affected Japanese culture?
This is a very interesting topic within Japanese culture. I was not aware of this issue and I feel that it is a strange way that people cope with thoughts of suicide. I feel that they turn to the woods because they believe the souls of the forest are able to influence their decisions regarding death.
ReplyDeleteI actually saw a ghost show where they went to this place. The people that were going their tried to talk to people about the area but were warned by their translator that they shouldn't talk about that place. Perhaps they try to not let too much information get out about the place. It was eerie seeing all of the signs urging people to keep their lives.
ReplyDeleteSuicide affects every culture a lot but I feel as though people in Japan commit suicide at a staggering rate. t is very interesting that this forest has become such a hot spot for suicides and it seems to be a very scary place.
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting, and suicide is not where I thought this blog was going. However, after learning about the social recluse problem, suicide seems like a concept that is very relevant to Japanese society.
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