Photo/Illutration A giant cedar tree destroyed by Typhoon No. 10 on Yakushima island, Kagoshima Prefecture. A tour guide was among those who reported the broken tree on Aug. 31. (Provided by Yakushima Guide Office Sangaku Taro)

YAKUSHIMA, Kagoshima Prefecture—An ancient giant has fallen in the forest believed to have inspired Studio Ghibli's "Princess Mononoke." However, this one was not Lady Eboshi's fault. 

During Typhoon No. 10's sluggish path of destruction, it snapped the trunk of a massive tree estimated to be around 3,000 years old. This dates the "Yayoi sugi" cedar back to the Yayoi Pottery Culture Period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 250).    

At its full height, it stood about 26 meters high with a circumference stretching 8 meters around its trunk. 

Yayoi sugi is a famous stop for tourists, not only because of its association with the Ghibli film, but as part of the UNESCO World Heritage forest. The popular Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine is also nearby.

Tour guide Taro Watanabe, 47, and others confirmed on Aug. 31 that the tree had broken off at the trunk some 1.5 meters from the ground.

“This huge tree was relatively easy to access, even for hikers who are beginners. So, it’s sad,” said Watanabe.

Mountain roads surrounding the tree became inaccessible due to the damage wrought by Typhoon No. 10. 

"Yayoi sugi is one of the most famous among the huge trees on this island," said a senior staff member of Yakushima island's Forestry Agency.

The staff member works at the forest management station and is part of the ongoing investigation to assess the tree's condition. 

No damage has been reported regarding the island's other giant cedars.

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