Tree: My Encounters with Trees

A Japanese classic, Tree invites us to foster peace in our lives by connecting with trees.

Cherry blossom, hinoki, ezo spruce. Persimmon, maple, cypress. The trees of Japan are wondrous emblems of beauty that cast a spell on those who venture to its unique landscape.

As a child, Aya Kōda realized they were more than mere objects of beauty. Gifted a sapling by her father, she discovered that we depend on trees as much as they do on us. Markers of time passing, they clear the air and regenerate our earth – while we are responsible to care for their future.

Following her travels around Japan, as she witnesses landslides, lumber and forests of falling ash, Tree is a beautiful series of essays that contemplate the most distinctive and eternal features of our natural world. A modern classic translated for the first time, Kōda’s voice echoes down the generations, to remind us that trees hold a mirror to what we cherish on earth, and what we choose to leave behind.

Featured in Wim Winders’ Oscar-nominated film Perfect Days and now in English for the first time, translated from Japanese by Charlotte Goff.

"An intimate invitation to glimpse the essence of life through dialogues with trees across Japan. In a rich collage of words, this English edition captures the emotional depth of this Japanese classic." - Azumi Uchitani, author of Yoshuku

"Tantalizing, inquisitive and personal. Tree transported me to fascinating Japanese landscapes: wild forests, remote islands, rugged mountains, and in each I was enchanted by trees." - Paul Wood, author of Tree Hunting

"A wonderful book that was ahead of its time and is now timeless." - Tristan Gooley, author of How to Read a Tree

"Despite being born over a century ago, Aya Koda’s prose remains remarkably fresh today. I believe this is because she never ceased to observe keenly, listen attentively, and think for herself: surely the most vital qualities for a writer and for any human." - Hiromi Kawakami, author of Strange Weather in Tokyo