Kumano woods

Kumano  

 

Kumano, the land of Myths.


The 3600 peaks of Kumano are mostly covered in mountainous forests and there is almost no flat land. Much of the terrain seems to change suddenly from mountain to ocean, making it a place that was inconvenient for people to farm and live. From ancient times to the Middle Ages, belied in the Kumano Sanzan of Hongu, Shingu and Nachi has increased and from retired emperor to commoners, and endless procession of travelers make the pilgrimage to Kumano, and it is said to create an appearance likened to "ants" Piligrimage to Kumano

At its center in the Kumano Road. The Kii Road is the route that many have walked from Kyoto, through Osaka and Wakayama, until Tanabe. Then from Tanabe many take the Nakehauchi route via Kumano Hongu. It is said that Gotoba-in, Fujiwara Teika, and Izumi Shikibu also walked Nakahechi.

 

The Kumano River basin is blessed with natural conditions such as weather, and soil and abundant forest resource have created beautiful forest of Japanese cedar and Cypress. Kumano lumber, which is said to be the highest grade of domestic lumber, is stronger than lumber from other regions, dries well, resist warping and is highly durable, making it the beast material for structural lumber.