Today, I would like to talk about Goshinboku, or the divine tree, and share a funny story about my visit to one. In Japan, "Goshinboku" refers to a sacred tree that has been worshipped for centuries. These trees are often located at shrines or temples and are believed to be the home of a kami, a divine spirit or deity. Goshinboku are typically very old and have been alive for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
The divine tree I visited is located in Kinomiya Shrine in Atami, a popular sightseeing spot known for its beautiful ocean views, onsen, and nature. The tree is more than 2,100 years old and I was amazed by its size and the atmosphere it brought about -- look at the picture I took in the banner! The place was quiet and calm, and it even gave me a sense of awe. I heard the trees swaying in the wind and the air was pleasant. I couldn't help but touch the smooth tree trunk and even put my face close to it to smell the tree. This may be a bit off-topic, but I am a big fan of smelling different scents. I adore perfumes created by perfumers from different fragrance houses so much that I even think that, if I could live a different life, I would love to learn French and study perfumery in France.
Returning to the topic, I pressed my forehead and nose to the tree and took a big deep breath -- it smelled so nice with deep green woody notes and also some slight flowery scents. It smelled so wonderful that I told my colleague next to me to smell it for himself as well. So he also pressed his face against the tree, as if he was praying or showing respect to the tree.
As we were leaving, I happened to look back at the tree, which was now ten meters away from me, and noticed a couple who had been behind us while we were around the tree. They were now standing at the tree, bending down and pressing their noses and foreheads against it as if they were praying to the tree. I realized that they must have been emulating our behavior, thinking that it was some kind of ritual or courtesy to express respect for something sacred. It looked slightly funny, but also made me feel sorry for them because at the time, I was simply smelling the tree, and there was nothing special about my behavior.
Has anyone else had a similar experience where your unintentional actions caused someone else to mimic you? If so, I would love to hear your stories as well :)
This is really well written and you clearly have a very strong understanding of some complex grammar points in English!
@Matt 21 Hi, Thank you so much for taking the time to read my article and for your kind words. I'm thrilled to hear that you found my writing to be well-crafted. As a non-native speaker of English, I strive to improve my language skills and writing ability every day, so your feedback means a lot to me. Thank you again for your time and for your positive feedback.