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The Effects and Functions of Spatial and Structural Characteristics of Shrine Forests as Urban Green Space

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Urban Biodiversity and Ecological Design for Sustainable Cities

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Abstract

In order to promote biodiversity and ecological networks in an urban area, it is important to understand both the area’s spatial and structural characteristics and its cultural, historical, and social characteristics. The objective of this study is to analyze the effects and functions of spatial and structural characteristics of shrine as urban green space by focusing on the spatial composition and form of slopes in the center of Tokyo and evaluating their green space possession. An investigation was conducted on the preservation of green areas in Shinto shrines built on a steep slope within the JR Yamanote Line loop in the center of Tokyo’s metropolitan area in Japan. An analysis reveals that Shinto shrines located in hilly topography were found to be particularly good for possession of green space in accordance with the angle of inclination of the slope or the location of the shrine forest space. Although the number of this type of Shinto shrine is small, the shrine forest space is formed around all sides of the building, which is the reason for high green space possession. Moreover, there was high possession of green spaces in cases where the building was located on the concave knick line, but this was because the shrine forest spaces were formed to the rear of the buildings and these shrine forests are recognized as confined spaces or considered sacred. Our study also found that linear green spaces, a private approach road connecting the shrine to a local street or public road, were able to have the potential of the function as corridors for connectivity to other green spaces in urban area.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The definition of microtopography used in this study is taken from the New Geographical Dictionary (Fujioka 1979): “Small-scale topography (undulations, expanses) that can sufficiently enter the range of human observation, but are small enough that the topography cannot be sufficiently expressed on normal topographical maps. Topography with relative heights 10−2–102 m, widths and lengths 103–103 m.”

  2. 2.

    A religious belief that worships Mount Fuji as a mountain god. After the founding of Sengen Shinto shrine, from the Heian Period onwards, mountain ascetics and disciples spread among the people. During the Edo period, the Fujikou religion became organized and obtained many followers in the Kanto region. Throughout the Kanto region, Fuji mounds that resembled Mount Fuji were constructed as places of worship and as alternatives to the mountain. We can still find worshipers climbing Mount Fuji wearing white ceremonial robes and carrying a staff while chanting the “purification of the six roots of perception.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Design, Faculty of Art and Design, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan

    Naoko Fujita

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  1. Naoko Fujita
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Correspondence to Naoko Fujita .

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  1. Laboratory of Environmental Design, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka, Japan

    Keitaro Ito

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Fujita, N. (2021). The Effects and Functions of Spatial and Structural Characteristics of Shrine Forests as Urban Green Space. In: Ito, K. (eds) Urban Biodiversity and Ecological Design for Sustainable Cities. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56856-8_13

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