Database: Yoshino

Yoshino is a mountainous region located in the southern part of the Yamato province, known for being a sacred site where, in the 7th century, a legendary figure named En no Ozunu founded Shugendō, a practice that integrates the worship of the mountains to Buddhism. Kimpusen-ji temple was established in Yoshino and became one of the strongholds of the yamabushi (the mountain monks of Shugendō), along with Kumano.

Due to its mountainous location, Yoshino was rich in forest resources. Wood from the province of Iga (bordering eastern Yamato) was depleted during the early part of the Middle Ages, having been used since ancient times for the construction and repair of the massive Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji temples. Lumber had been so depleted in that area that, when Tōdai-ji was reconstructed in the late 12th century, builders had to rely on the province of Suō (at the western end of Honshu) as a source of wood supply.

However, the use of Yoshino wood did not flourish until the Middle Ages. Yoshino became one of the main centers of Shugendō, and as temples became more actively built and repaired, the wood was also actively used. In the 15th century, it became famous under the brand name "Yoshino Wood" and was promoted as being of excellent quality. Planned afforestation activities are said to have started there in the 16th century and formed the basis for the development of wood production and trade in the 17th century and beyond.