Forest Bathing(PART 2 OF 3)
Yes, I know that you enjoy your active way of life.
Why don't you join us someday, Kato? It's a pity for you to stay all the time in the library. You're really attached to the library, if not permanently connected to the the computer at Joe Fortes Library.
You've seen only part of my life. That's why you think I'm permanently confined in the library.
But whenever I drop in at the library, you work at the keyboard or watch a DVD as if there was nobody around. You seem to be completely engrossed in your own world.
Well... that's true in a sense, but I'm well aware that a natural way of life is quite important to us.
Oh, do you?
Yes, of course, I know that.
Then how come you always stay in the library?
Oh, C'mon Diane. You're exaggerating. Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill.
I've never seen you jogging around the seawall.
Well... one in a while I enjoy forest bathing.
I don't believe it.
I know nature’s value to human society. So I believe that we should protect green spaces, trees and water. You believe or not, Diane, I'm a believer in the healing power of nature. So once in a while, I go to the woods.
Oh ... do you go to the woods alone?
With Madame Taliesin.
I don't believe you.
Oh, Diane, you'd better believe it since I've written the following article:
■"Forest Bathing @ Karuizawa"
（森林浴＠軽井沢）
(August 16, 2008)
Did you really write the above article in 2008?
Yes, I did. Why don't you click the above link and read it for yourself?
It was written in Japanese, I suppose.
You can use the GOOGLE translator, Diane.
I once used it, but the translator is far from a perfect machine. It translated your story into English, but the translated story didn't make sense at all.
Well... nothing is perfect as nobopdy is perfect. Don't expect too much from a free translator. In any case, a forest bathing trip was quite popular at the time. A leisurely visit to a forest is regarded as being similar to natural aromatherapy.
Oh, is it?... natural aromatherapy?
Yes, some westerners also believe in forest bathing as the following video clips show:
Forest Bathing
<iframe width="500" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Iul2ckfw3K8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Forest Therapy
<iframe width="500" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U1Xonak-3XI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees, such as a-pinene and limonene.
Incorporating forest bathing trips into a good lifestyle was first proposed in 1982 by the Forest Agency of Japan.
It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan.
SOURCE: "Forest Bathing"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So you went to Karuizawa to enjoy forest bathing with Madame Taliesin, didn't you?
Yes, I did. Madame Taliesin is also a believer in the healing power of nature.
I see. Madame Taliesin seems to enjoy it to the hilt.
You're telling me, Diane. In fact, she literally bathed in the forest like this:
I don't believe this.
They say, seeing is believing.
But you made up the above picture, didn't you?
Yes, but forest bathing sometimes makes a woman feel like standing in the semi-nude.
I doubt.
You'd better believe it, Diane, because you also seem to like visiting the woods in Stanley Park.
(dianewd.jpg)
This isn't in Stanley Park, is it?
No, it is not, but someday, I think we'll be able to enjoy forest bathing in Karuizawa.
Well ... God only knows ...
【Himiko's Monologue】
Yes, I'd also like to take a stroll in the forest in Kyoto, which makes me feel refreshed without thinking of worldly matters.
Even if I'm alone in the woods, I feel as if I were surrounded with forest fairies.
I know this sounds childish.
But I believe that we should stay away from an urban living once in a while so that we could think about a natural way of life---which is stress-free.
Well... I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
If you've got some time,
Please read one of the following artciles:
(To be followed)