More About Mononoke
How are audiences able to tell that the movie takes place in Yakushima?
What is the Japanese name for the trees in Yakushima that are translated as "cedar" in English
Sugi
What is one way to get to Yakushima?
Ferry or plane
What is the name of Yakushima's most famous land mark?
Jomon Sugi
What is a signature dish in Yakushima? ( Hint: we almost ate it)
Fried flying fish
What was the Mossy Forests original name and why was it changed?
The original name was the Princess Mononoke Forest, but was changed after Studio Ghibli complained it was a copyright
What are 3 things that make Yakushima special
-No bugs
-River water can be drinken
-Large amounts of moss
-Flourishing on an island which soil is acidic
What is Yakushima known for?
Raining 35 days a month
What were the Sugi cut down for?
Mostly shingles
Using rivers or waterways
Which character is a reference to the tour the Studio Ghibli artists took?
One of the ninjas guiding Ashitaka was physically inspired by the tour guide who showed Studio Ghibli artists around Yakushima
Why are there not as many bugs as one would expect in the forest?
Because the water is rushing so quickly, it is hard for bugs to lay their eggs
What two animals are most often seen on Yakushima?
Deer and monkey
Where would the tree be cut down at?
The point where the tree stopped being parallel, usually on the lower part
What were the two groups of people on Yakushima and why were they separated from each other?
Fishermen who lived on the beach and people who lived in the mountains cutting down trees. They were separated due to sheer distance and location from each other.
From where was the first gun used brought onto the island?
Tanegashima
Why does moss play such an important role in relation to the islands environmental growth?
It grows on the granite where usual plants can't grow. Because it is water absorbing, plants can grow on the moss and absorb that water rather than attempt to grow in the acidic soil
Why is it hard to grow plants in Yakushima?
The soil is extremely acidic
Why were old trees not cut down?
They would be hollow and of no use for products
Which group realized the land was being polluted and how?
The people who lived on the beach fishing realized something was wrong as less fish in the same spot began to get caught over time.
Back then, what was the hierarchy order?
Matriarchy
What is the first cause for why Yakushima rains so much?
The shape of the island
Largest waterfall in Yakushima?
Oko-no-taki
What is a trait that makes Sugi so special?
They are waterproof from large amounts of resin that are naturally produced
How are different trees being grown on each other classified as?
They are classified by "generations", with the oldest being 1st generation, the 2nd oldest being 2nd generation, and so on