I think that film deserves a higher average score than it actually has. I guess that the reason is that not too many people understand that this film tells us a symbolic story and all we see must be interpreted in that way. As I far could understand, the main subject of this film is one of the most popular debates in todays Japan: Is individualism winning the match to the sense of society in that Asian nation? That tree, the so-called "Karisuma", the main subject of the film, has to be considered as a symbol of individualism, planted in a forest that was so fertile in the past but now, after Karisuma was planted there, is poisoned and almost dead. The debate is obvious: some characters support Karisuma (the individualism, the triumph of personality), but others support the forest (the impersonal society, as it was considered in traditional Japan) and plan to destroy Karisuma. The final conclusion the main character (Mr. Yabuike) gets to is really wise: he just believes that everybody should let the things be (society can't be avoided) and try to find a place for himself in this world (so individual preferences must be considered too). I insist: wise conclusions for one of the wisest Japanese contemporary films I've seen.
