일본 기차역 가운데 우뚝 솟은 700년된 나무 Japanese Train Station Protectively Built Around a 700-Year-Old Tree: VIDEO
Japanese Train Station Protectively Built Around a 700-Year-Old Tree
Image via Kosaku Mimura/Nikkei
일본 오사카 북쪽의 한기차역 한가운데는 거대한 녹나무가 서있다.
오랜 역사를 자랑하는 1910년에 건설된 카야시마역도 700년된 쿠수나무에
비하면 아무것도 아니다.
그 당시에는 기차 플랫폼 옆 건물 옆에 자태(사진)를 모두 드러낸 채 서 있었지만
인구 증가에 따라 기차역이 확장되면서 철거의 위기를 맞이했다.
1972년에 카야시마역은 역사 확장이 절박한 상황이었다
그러나 지역 주민의 맹렬한 반대로 역사의 한가운데 남으며 확장공사가 진행됐다.
이제 카야시마역은 지역 명소가 되어 있다.
황기철 콘페이퍼 에디터
Ki Chul Hwang, conpaper editor
By Jessica Stewart on January 27, 2017
All too often we hear of natural elements being removed to make way for man-made structures. Fortunately, this story out of Japan details just the opposite. North of Osaka, an odd train station was actually built to accommodate a large camphor tree that emerges from its center.
The Kayashima Station is actually younger than the Big Kusu Tree of Kayashima, as it’s commonly known in Japan. While the station was built in 1910, experts estimate that the sprawling tree is at least 700-years-old.
At the time the station was built, the camphor tree stood directly to the right of the building. However, an increase in population and station overcrowding in the 1970s meant that Kayashima Station was in desperate need of expansion. And while initial plans simply called for the removal of the tree, this caused a local uproar.
By 1972, Kayashima Station was in desperate need of expansion.
As it was long associated with a local deity and shrine, the camphor tree was greatly revered by residents. Its removal caused a public outcry and tales began to spread of people who were harmed by daring to touch the sacred tree. For instance, someone who cut off a branch developed a high fever later in the day. A white snake, which is connected with many Shinto deities, was spotted wrapped around the tree. Even smoke was said to rise from the branches.
Taking all factors into account, officials capitulated and drew up new plans to incorporate the camphor in the train station’s architecture. When finally complete in 1980, triumphant residents erected a small shrine at the base of the tree and Kayashima Station now benefits from its unique architecture
All told, the tale of the Big Kusu Tree of Kayashima shows that community activism can garner great results.
Image via Studio Ohana.
Image via Studio Ohana.
Image via Studio Ohana.
Images via Mizuo Watanabe/Asahi
Image via Studio Ohana.
h/t: [Spoon & Tamago]
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