See no Evil - Kuroi Jukai

Hi there peoples,

So this week I'm actually doing something I'm not entirely comfortable with but is that not the point of creepy things? The thrill of experiencing something that makes us uncomfortable? The constant discovering of fears and overcoming them when we realise that they are just the wind and not a crazy ass axe-murderer? And if it is the latter, we are dead in any event so then there's no more fear.

So everybody is familiar with the iconic Mount Fuji. Some of you might already be aware where this is heading. There is a forest at the base of the mountain that has some incredibly negative connotations to it. Aokigahara Forest, commonly known as the Suicide Forest.

This forest is so dense in some places that even midday there are places that the sun does not reach. Much has been said about the suicides and the Yurei and other demons claimed to inhabit it, but I'd like to focus on the less supernatural beauty of this forest. It is honestly a breathtakingly stunning place. I mean, unless you go off the beaten path and even then it has a kind of macabre beauty to it.

The trails of tape that hikers use to prevent themselves from getting lost intertwine with the ropes and tapes left behind to find the bodies of suicide victims, forming a colourful sort of spider web all throughout this darkened sea of trees.

Here follows one of two paintings I did of the forest at the base of Mount Fuji, along with one of my favourite poems about one of the most intriguing places I have ever heard of, Aokigahara Forest.

Spirit of the Forest

Walk the trails, and don't you dare stray

the labyrinth of trees soon all around

drowning out all but the Spirit's sound

heed its call and your soul shall stay.

This black sea of trees is deadly unkind

walking upon only ashes and bone

a voice whispers, whispers to you alone

and darkness again consumes your mind.

Tread lightly, find your way back to where there is light

as the spirit calls out your name

calls out your name, thus the reason you came

or alone in your darkness, should end your life.

The means are plenty throughout Kuroi Jukai

the Spirit of the Forest gives again its command

your life is forfeit, and by your own hand

the darkness did not dissipate as, in agony, you die.

So walks another spirit in this serene hell

calling to those who may enter

a relentless, wicked mentor

another dead man's tale to tell.

-Vengi

If there are any other creepy places you would to share with me please do so. Creepy suicide forests and such are meant to be shared... The Spirit of the Forest commands it.

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