A cycle of rebirth
Every 20 years, Japan's most sacred Shinto site, Ise Jingu, is completely dismantled and rebuilt on an adjacent plot. This tradition, called Shikinen Sengu, has continued for over 1,300 years, with the first ceremony taking place around 690 AD. The cycle expresses Shinto beliefs in renewal, and is a logistical and ecological undertaking. The process requires a steady supply of high-quality timber, specifically around 10,000 logs of Japanese cypress, or hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa). To meet this demand, a forestry plan was devised that operates on a 200-year timescale, ensuring that trees of the perfect age and size are available for each generational rebuilding.
The architectural style of the shrines, Yuiitsu shinmei-zukuri, is an ancient design based on grain storehouses and may not be used for any other shrine. Construction uses no nails, relying instead on complex interlocking joints crafted by master carpenters. This method necessitates exceptionally straight-grained, durable wood. The chosen material, hinoki, is a slow-growing cypress that can reach heights of 35 meters. Its timber is light, highly resistant to rot, and has a distinct lemon-like scent. The rebuilding process itself is extensive, taking about nine years to complete and involving the reconstruction of 65 different structures.