A Historical Reconstruction of the Changing Relationship Between Forests and People in Japan : A Case Study of Hirosaki Domain in the Nineteenth Century
Kayaba, Masahito and Gao, Ming LU
(2025)
- Abstract
- This chapter explores the relationship between people and forests during Japan’s Tokuagwa period, focusing on Hirosaki domain in northern Honshu, known for its abundant hiba (thujopsis dolabrata) forests. Timber production thrived in the seventeenth century, but by the eighteenth century, resource depletion prompted forest management policies. The 1783 famine accelerated forest devastation, leading to the creation of the yamakata, a forestry department that implemented sustainable forest policies. However, the nineteenth century saw conflicts between the yamakata, who advocated long-term forest conservation, and domain residents as well as the regional administrative officials (district officials) and town administrative officials (town... (More)
- This chapter explores the relationship between people and forests during Japan’s Tokuagwa period, focusing on Hirosaki domain in northern Honshu, known for its abundant hiba (thujopsis dolabrata) forests. Timber production thrived in the seventeenth century, but by the eighteenth century, resource depletion prompted forest management policies. The 1783 famine accelerated forest devastation, leading to the creation of the yamakata, a forestry department that implemented sustainable forest policies. However, the nineteenth century saw conflicts between the yamakata, who advocated long-term forest conservation, and domain residents as well as the regional administrative officials (district officials) and town administrative officials (town officials) who governed them, who prioritized immediate needs for livelihood and relief. These tensions were shaped by evolving social and economic conditions. The chapter highlights a historical struggle over forest resource use, emphasizing the interplay between sustainability-focused governance and community-driven demands. Understanding forest preservation in Japan today requires examining these local dynamics, beyond the policies of feudal lords. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/0b0d68c9-dba0-41e9-aa60-b14f1578f801
- author
- Kayaba, Masahito
- translator
- Gao, Ming
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- in press
- subject
- keywords
- Japan, Japan forest
- host publication
- Alternative Histories of Development in Japan and East Asia : Unthinking Modernization, Recreating Lifeworlds - Unthinking Modernization, Recreating Lifeworlds
- editor
- Amos, Timothy D. ; Ishii, Akiko and Lim, Samson
- pages
- 18 pages
- publisher
- Routledge
- ISBN
- 9781003496380
- DOI
- 10.4324/9781003496380
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 0b0d68c9-dba0-41e9-aa60-b14f1578f801
- date added to LUP
- 2025-02-02 21:19:56
- date last changed
- 2025-07-16 11:55:05
@inbook{0b0d68c9-dba0-41e9-aa60-b14f1578f801,
abstract = {{This chapter explores the relationship between people and forests during Japan’s Tokuagwa period, focusing on Hirosaki domain in northern Honshu, known for its abundant hiba (thujopsis dolabrata) forests. Timber production thrived in the seventeenth century, but by the eighteenth century, resource depletion prompted forest management policies. The 1783 famine accelerated forest devastation, leading to the creation of the yamakata, a forestry department that implemented sustainable forest policies. However, the nineteenth century saw conflicts between the yamakata, who advocated long-term forest conservation, and domain residents as well as the regional administrative officials (district officials) and town administrative officials (town officials) who governed them, who prioritized immediate needs for livelihood and relief. These tensions were shaped by evolving social and economic conditions. The chapter highlights a historical struggle over forest resource use, emphasizing the interplay between sustainability-focused governance and community-driven demands. Understanding forest preservation in Japan today requires examining these local dynamics, beyond the policies of feudal lords.}},
author = {{Kayaba, Masahito and Gao, Ming}},
booktitle = {{Alternative Histories of Development in Japan and East Asia : Unthinking Modernization, Recreating Lifeworlds}},
editor = {{Amos, Timothy D. and Ishii, Akiko and Lim, Samson}},
isbn = {{9781003496380}},
keywords = {{Japan; Japan forest}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Routledge}},
title = {{A Historical Reconstruction of the Changing Relationship Between Forests and People in Japan : A Case Study of Hirosaki Domain in the Nineteenth Century}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003496380}},
doi = {{10.4324/9781003496380}},
year = {{2025}},
}