Digging Deep into the History of the Forest of Death

Every legend has a background and the Aokigahara forest has an interesting one. In 1960 Seicho Matsumoto publicized a novel by the name of  Kuroi Jukai which translates to Black Sea of Trees in English. According to the Japanese blog Tofugu.com, John states that the novel ends with two lovers committing suicide in the forest. However, suicides trace all the way back to the 1950's so perhaps the book was inspired by the people who lost their way in the forest. Another theory that the Japanese blog has to offer is "Legend has it that in ancient times families would abandon people in the forest during periods of famine when there was not enough food to go around. By sacrificing family members to the forest, there would be less mouths to feed and therefore enough food for the rest of the family. Those abandoned in the forest would die long, horrible, drawn out deaths due to starvation. Because of that, Aokigahara is also said to be haunted by the souls of these abandoned people" says John.  According to "The Suicide Woods of Mt. Fuji" the place is said to be haunted by the ghost of yurei, spirits that stay where they died or where their body lies. Another legend says that the place is said to have massive underground iron deposits causing all compasses to go berserk giving people who have decided to not commit suicide no way out. Or is it the spirts not wanting you to leave? The forest also appears in the book The Complete Manual of Suicide and at times the book is even found with a few of the belongings of the lost souls. There are many more legends surrounding the sea of trees. They all have one thing in common, the forest is "the perfect place to die" for whatever reason one chooses to believe. 

John. "Tofugu." Tofugu. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.tofugu.com/2012/07/23/aokigahara-japans-haunted-forest-of-death/>.

"The Suicide Woods of Mt. Fuji." Japanzine. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.japanzine.jp/article/jz/957/the-suicide-woods-of-mt-fuji>.

"Wandering American." Wandering American. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://wanderingamericantravelblog.com/2011/10/17/aokigahara-forest-of-      suicides/aokigahara-forest-2/>.