These photographs were taken in April 2009 on the island of Yakushima off the south coast of Japan. The primeval cedar forests there have been left untouched for thousands of years. The trees and plants of the forests were believed to have healing qualities. The original meaning of Yakushima is ‘medicine island’,

Following a family bereavement, I found peace in nature. Being in the forest of Yakushima gave me a feeling of inner peace and connectedness. This spiritual connection with the trees has been recognised for many years by Japanese people, who revere the trees of Yakushima as gods.