Forest Creation and Nature Observation at Keio Futsubu School

(Posted September 2024)

The "Forest of Futsubu" elective class started around 2001. I first came to Hiyoshi in 2004 as a research associate (on contract) at Keio University, and I have been involved with the Forest of Futsubu class ever since—for 20 years now. To put it simply, the class involves nature restoration work in the sloped forest (coppice) of Mamushidani Valley. It's a class where we manage the coppice and observe nature by clearing undergrowth, pruning branches, and planting trees like sawtooth oaks and Japanese snowbells where old ones have died. We spend two hours in the forest every Saturday.

Every year, the class always includes a certain number of students who love insects and nature, and they seem to really look forward to it. At first, everyone seems surprised by how much larger and more expansive the forest is than they imagined, thinking, "This is a real forest." Even students who are not used to the forest at all gradually become accustomed to it, and some who couldn't touch insects at first learn to do so.

I can see that students learn a great deal through about two hours of physical activity in the forest, rather than through indoor lectures, experiments, and observations. They clear undergrowth and cut side branches. They even cut down standing trees. Repeating this leaves them exhausted by the end of the class. Learning to prune branches and clear undergrowth through hands-on experience is very important for learning about nature, and I believe that doing this continuously every week amidst the changing seasons is an invaluable experience. By doing this weekly, the students can viscerally understand the speed of plant changes. It's like a race against the weeds, and through it, they experience the rapid growth of grass and the quick turnover of plants.

It seems that students also learn from each other. For example, a student with a specialized interest in insects might broaden their horizons by hearing from students who love plants or mushrooms. Some "regular" students who initially kept their distance from the more "geeky" insect enthusiasts gradually become comfortable with them as they spend time together every week.

I also feel the benefits unique to Keio's affiliated schools, where a path connects from Keio Futsubu School to Keio Senior High School and then to the university's biology department. This year, one of my university students had taken my class at Futsubu. On the first day of class, he showed me the notebook he had submitted every week in my Futsubu class four years ago. I feel that this is where a good connection is successfully made. It is also very meaningful for graduates to encounter the trees they planted in their Futsubu class when they become university students. Some even join "uni-volante," an officially authorized student club that manages the forest, and come to help with clearing the undergrowth. We are all nurturing this Hiyoshi Forest together.

Since we have been planting saplings since 2002, I can show them trees and say, "These were planted by your upperclassmen." There is a sense of wonder that comes from this continuity, and we can also think about how the forest has developed by comparing it to 10 or 20 years ago. This continuity has also shown us how much the forest itself can change, and we are able to feed that knowledge back into our teaching. The forest has recovered from a neglected state, and now, in some parts, a very pleasant coppice has formed.

I find junior high school students' direct reactions interesting, as they are completely different from the more detached attitude of university students. This is an experience I wouldn't have if I only taught at the university, and it is a great learning experience for me as well. Today's university students know very little about the forest, so I hope that the significance of the rich Hiyoshi Forest will spread throughout the entire university in the future.

One slight concern is that some areas have become neglected over the past three years as old, large sawtooth and konara oaks have succumbed to oak wilt disease. However, learning about such things as natural phenomena is also a valuable experience. It is a great blessing to be able to learn about these things firsthand in our daily classes. The Hiyoshi Forest serves as a place where we can also discuss the state of Japanese forestry and satoyama (community-managed forests).

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