The Existence of Forests in Japanese Belief (Sociology Literature Study of Anime Miyori no Mori)

Abstract

This research discusses the environmental issues and their relationship with the Japanese beliefs described in Japanese visual literature: anime Miyori no Mori. This animation story is full of messages about environmental preservation and environmental issues. The story Miyori no Mori teaches the audiences (especially children) the importance of protecting the forest and the impacts that will arise when the forest is destroyed and clearly illustrates how the forest is related to god’s spirits in Japanese belief. This research aims to reveal the elements of that belief through the existence of the forest depicted in the anime Miyori no Mori. Qualitative approaches and sociology literature study as research methods analyses forests’ critical role in Japanese people’s beliefs. The research examined includes the elements of faith depicted in the anime Miyori no Mori, such as the role of gods, the existence of ancestral spirits, and even monsters in that forest. As a result, it will be known how important the role of forests is as part of the Japanese people’s belief. It can be a solid reason for upholding environmental preservation, mainly to prevent their environment from covid-19 effects.