The same month when storyboards came about [for the movie], Miyazaki set off to the ancient forests of Yakushima, in Kyushu and the mountains of Shirakami-Sanchi in northern Honshu [of Japan].
“It was just right, the ruins of this ancient forest reflects on us as humans. We need to learn to appreciate what we have left of the environment, and I wanted this as a theme for the animation.” -Miyazaki on his inspiration for Princess Mononoke

hanafubuki; falling cherry blossoms in Tokyo

soulist-aurora:

To you, I’ll give a great & many of inspiration. I promise.- Hajin Bae