The subject matter this time was also interesting. The way to solve these questions is to go to the relevant department of the local government that selected and cut down the trees and ask them directly why. I recommend asking local residents as well. The result is obvious, but it may be difficult for foreigners to understand. Local governments have their own ideas, and local residents will have their own ideas and opinions, and of course passersby will have their own ideas too. There is a mystery element that foreigners fall into. Why are there no trash cans in the city? Why is it so clean even though there are no trash cans? Why are there so many security guards at construction sites and parking lot entrances? I think there are many more whys, so I think it's fun and never gets boring. 今回の題材も興味深かったですね。それらの疑問を解決する手段は、その木々を選定伐採した自治体の担当部署に行き、何故なのか？直接質問する事をお勧めしますし、地元住民にも聞いてる事もです。結果は分かり切ってますが、外国人からすれば分からない事なんでしょうね。自治体には自治体の考えが有り、地元住民には地元住民の考えや意見が有る事でしょう、もちろんそこを通る通行人にも考えが有りますよね。外国人が陥るミステリー的な要素が有りますね。何故街にゴミ箱が無いのか？ゴミ箱が無いのに何故綺麗なのか？何故工事現場や駐車場の入り口に、あれ程多くの警備員を配置してるのか？まだまだ沢山の何故が有ると思います、だから飽きる事が無く楽しいんじゃないですかね。
This was a really interesting topic, Paul! What came to mind for me is that there are actually a lot of overgrown areas from what I’ve seen - it always seems like much of Japan is about three weeks away from being completely covered in tall grass and shrub. Maybe it depends on the area though. By the way I think it’s completely fine to criticize any place as well as praise it. No place is 100% perfect!
Some places do seem to be left to grow wild, but that likely has to do with budget or perhaps ownership of the place in question. Those places can still draw plenty of complaints by people in the neighborhood for being "kusa bo bo".
@@Exjapter not to sure. I was actually just really impressed with the comparison to art, how the Japanese are often more "presenters" and kept thinking about how much that made sense sociologically
In England tree's like this are called Monoliths when they have had the crown and all branches removed. I don't ever recall seeing one next to a highway because the stems will decay over time, so they are cut and removed to a stump straight away. Tree's have protection orders on them here wether its private land or highways. So for something like this to happen they would have to be dead, diseased dying or damaging a properties structural integrity. Public are legally obliged to prune the tree back themselves under guidance of a trained arborist. I kind of get why Japan do this to save money ie no road sweeping needed for leaves/branches or moss forming on footways but it's still sad. I'm sure I've seen netting used on crowns that capture leaves and also restrict noise and movement. It's actually part of my job to deal with tree issues here. I'd love to live and work in Japan it is a dream, not sure how easy it is to get work in municipalities though. Great topic!
The gardener who did our landscaping is a super traditional Japanese artist when it comes to preserving Japanese techniques and aesthetics. He agreed with me that the low-ball contracts result in "unknowledgeable" hack jobs. So, Japanese in the know are also unimpressed.
I’ve only lived here for 11 months so this is my first spring seeing the tree hack job. I assumed it was a type of tree I’m not used to and it was necessary. Sad to hear it’s just a choice because it’s so ugly. Your perspective is so interesting. How do you reconcile the Japanese love of hiking in the mountains? Nothing controlled about that experience….the trails aren’t even well marked!
Its a different mindset. Many Japanese love nature and activities like camping, hiking, etc, but the idea is you go out to nature, to where it is wild and away from human habitation, to experience it.
This topic would seem to go hand in hand with larger issues in Japanese society to include Hikikomoris and ‘herbivore’ men. Japan, in many ways, is very ‘comfortable’ and safe. Not bad things, but also steals away the natural yearning for adventure. That being said, it would be interesting to hear if you have any insights/thoughts on broader social issue such as the declining birthrate and the work culture.
Perhaps. Japanese society as a whole likes to limit unpredictability and uncertainty as much as possible, which lead to other types of controlling behavior.
Interesting. It’s a forever battle, cleaning up, cleaning up around the house. What is the streets you are walking around? Houses look interesting, bigger suburban houses.
This is Zushi city, near to where I used to live. It could have been just about anywhere, but I felt the vibe of the "nice rather fancy neighborhood" just makes the awful trees stand out just that much more starkly.
Paul, I agree, but think you are incorrect about one aspect. I think the chap you spoke to was not fully correct. Your bigger point might be correct? I dont know. This is a usual tree pruning technique called pollarding. Have a Google! It is done in towns all over the world to keep the growth under control. Many trees would actually grow too large for the roads, so it ensures the trees don't overwhelm the streets or, possible more importantly, the electrical cables that I can see criss-crossing the road. It keeps them healthy and safe in that environment. The same happens here in The Netherlands. People call them 'candlesticks''! 😃 And sadly, the same 'anti-tree / nature' feelings exist here amongst some inhabitants of my town. Happily not all. Most neighbour arguments are about trees, hedges and weeds! I love rampant greenery, but it costs me a lot to keep it under even a little control! Isn't there a Japanese saying along the lines of 'The nail that sticks up will be hammered down'? 🤔 Maybe, as you say, in countries where nature can be explosive, that could influence things. I used to dislike Japanese Ikibana (sp?) but as time has passed, I start to appreciate it more. Concentrating the eye and mind on the small details?🤔 I walked through the Dutch national bulb gardens with my Japanese friend. I said it was a pity the beautiful cherry blossom trees we were walking under did not last longer. She said 'Oh, no! It's the temporary nature of them that makes the extra beauty.'
I admit I am no expert on tree pruning myself. Our landscaper just finished pruning ours though, and they look nothing like the ones in this video. Maybe they are not overdone? All I can really compare them to is the US, and I have never seen this done in America!
@@Exjapter It's so fascinating to see other cultures through our own eyes. It struck me soon after I moved here to Holland that the same word can mean 'clean' as well as 'beautiful'. I was told at the same time that the reason Dutch people do not close their curtains at night when they have their lights on was to let everyone see that there was nothing untoward going in inside! There is an historical sort of puritanism in some areas and the curtain thing was said to be a throwback of those times! I just found your channel and am enjoying it very much. 😃
One thing I meant to say and forgot was there are plenty of Japanese who go out and seek nature through camping, hiking, etc, but are still not really keen on it encroaching into their normal life.
The subject matter this time was also interesting. The way to solve these questions is to go to the relevant department of the local government that selected and cut down the trees and ask them directly why. I recommend asking local residents as well. The result is obvious, but it may be difficult for foreigners to understand. Local governments have their own ideas, and local residents will have their own ideas and opinions, and of course passersby will have their own ideas too. There is a mystery element that foreigners fall into. Why are there no trash cans in the city? Why is it so clean even though there are no trash cans? Why are there so many security guards at construction sites and parking lot entrances? I think there are many more whys, so I think it's fun and never gets boring.
今回の題材も興味深かったですね。それらの疑問を解決する手段は、その木々を選定伐採した自治体の担当部署に行き、何故なのか？直接質問する事をお勧めしますし、地元住民にも聞いてる事もです。結果は分かり切ってますが、外国人からすれば分からない事なんでしょうね。自治体には自治体の考えが有り、地元住民には地元住民の考えや意見が有る事でしょう、もちろんそこを通る通行人にも考えが有りますよね。外国人が陥るミステリー的な要素が有りますね。何故街にゴミ箱が無いのか？ゴミ箱が無いのに何故綺麗なのか？何故工事現場や駐車場の入り口に、あれ程多くの警備員を配置してるのか？まだまだ沢山の何故が有ると思います、だから飽きる事が無く楽しいんじゃないですかね。
Great Topic! Thank you so much for bringing me there to you World!😊
This was a really interesting topic, Paul! What came to mind for me is that there are actually a lot of overgrown areas from what I’ve seen - it always seems like much of Japan is about three weeks away from being completely covered in tall grass and shrub. Maybe it depends on the area though.
By the way I think it’s completely fine to criticize any place as well as praise it. No place is 100% perfect!
Some places do seem to be left to grow wild, but that likely has to do with budget or perhaps ownership of the place in question. Those places can still draw plenty of complaints by people in the neighborhood for being "kusa bo bo".
12:18 Paul detects a ghost.
Lol
Great topic that no one considers and amazing insights as usual!
Thank you. Anything I missed that's worth adding?
@@Exjapter not to sure. I was actually just really impressed with the comparison to art, how the Japanese are often more "presenters" and kept thinking about how much that made sense sociologically
In England tree's like this are called Monoliths when they have had the crown and all branches removed. I don't ever recall seeing one next to a highway because the stems will decay over time, so they are cut and removed to a stump straight away. Tree's have protection orders on them here wether its private land or highways. So for something like this to happen they would have to be dead, diseased dying or damaging a properties structural integrity. Public are legally obliged to prune the tree back themselves under guidance of a trained arborist. I kind of get why Japan do this to save money ie no road sweeping needed for leaves/branches or moss forming on footways but it's still sad. I'm sure I've seen netting used on crowns that capture leaves and also restrict noise and movement. It's actually part of my job to deal with tree issues here. I'd love to live and work in Japan it is a dream, not sure how easy it is to get work in municipalities though. Great topic!
The gardener who did our landscaping is a super traditional Japanese artist when it comes to preserving Japanese techniques and aesthetics. He agreed with me that the low-ball contracts result in "unknowledgeable" hack jobs. So, Japanese in the know are also unimpressed.
Had not thought about this before, interesting topic. Thank you
I’ve only lived here for 11 months so this is my first spring seeing the tree hack job. I assumed it was a type of tree I’m not used to and it was necessary. Sad to hear it’s just a choice because it’s so ugly. Your perspective is so interesting. How do you reconcile the Japanese love of hiking in the mountains? Nothing controlled about that experience….the trails aren’t even well marked!
Its a different mindset. Many Japanese love nature and activities like camping, hiking, etc, but the idea is you go out to nature, to where it is wild and away from human habitation, to experience it.
Interesting. Thank you!
This topic would seem to go hand in hand with larger issues in Japanese society to include Hikikomoris and ‘herbivore’ men. Japan, in many ways, is very ‘comfortable’ and safe. Not bad things, but also steals away the natural yearning for adventure. That being said, it would be interesting to hear if you have any insights/thoughts on broader social issue such as the declining birthrate and the work culture.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will endeavor to tackle those in the near future.
Wow, if you don't like Ja.. nah just kidding, great video!
You had me for a second, lol.
Is it just nature they have the impulse to control? This seems to me to be a symptom of something larger.
Perhaps. Japanese society as a whole likes to limit unpredictability and uncertainty as much as possible, which lead to other types of controlling behavior.
Interesting. It’s a forever battle, cleaning up, cleaning up around the house.
What is the streets you are walking around?
Houses look interesting, bigger suburban houses.
This is Zushi city, near to where I used to live. It could have been just about anywhere, but I felt the vibe of the "nice rather fancy neighborhood" just makes the awful trees stand out just that much more starkly.
Naturally occurring prairie fires do exactly the same thing.
Wildfires are tremendously rare in Japan. This is a rainy country. Nor are there prairies, for that matter, at least in the North America sense.
Paul, I agree, but think you are incorrect about one aspect. I think the chap you spoke to was not fully correct. Your bigger point might be correct? I dont know.
This is a usual tree pruning technique called pollarding. Have a Google!
It is done in towns all over the world to keep the growth under control. Many trees would actually grow too large for the roads, so it ensures the trees don't overwhelm the streets or, possible more importantly, the electrical cables that I can see criss-crossing the road. It keeps them healthy and safe in that environment.
The same happens here in The Netherlands. People call them 'candlesticks''! 😃
And sadly, the same 'anti-tree / nature' feelings exist here amongst some inhabitants of my town. Happily not all. Most neighbour arguments are about trees, hedges and weeds! I love rampant greenery, but it costs me a lot to keep it under even a little control!
Isn't there a Japanese saying along the lines of 'The nail that sticks up will be hammered down'? 🤔
Maybe, as you say, in countries where nature can be explosive, that could influence things.
I used to dislike Japanese Ikibana (sp?) but as time has passed, I start to appreciate it more. Concentrating the eye and mind on the small details?🤔
I walked through the Dutch national bulb gardens with my Japanese friend. I said it was a pity the beautiful cherry blossom trees we were walking under did not last longer. She said 'Oh, no! It's the temporary nature of them that makes the extra beauty.'
I admit I am no expert on tree pruning myself. Our landscaper just finished pruning ours though, and they look nothing like the ones in this video. Maybe they are not overdone? All I can really compare them to is the US, and I have never seen this done in America!
@@Exjapter It's so fascinating to see other cultures through our own eyes.
It struck me soon after I moved here to Holland that the same word can mean 'clean' as well as 'beautiful'.
I was told at the same time that the reason Dutch people do not close their curtains at night when they have their lights on was to let everyone see that there was nothing untoward going in inside!
There is an historical sort of puritanism in some areas and the curtain thing was said to be a throwback of those times!
I just found your channel and am enjoying it very much. 😃
Yet the Japanese themselves often describe their culture as close to and connected with nature.
One thing I meant to say and forgot was there are plenty of Japanese who go out and seek nature through camping, hiking, etc, but are still not really keen on it encroaching into their normal life.
Is most Japan curated?
Not everywhere, no. I imagine lots of smaller towns and cities dont have the budget for it.
@@Exjapter cherry blossom season is the kiss of death when they fall; they dont tame them..haha