Origin: In 1921, Kyoto Imperial University acquired the surface rights to approx. 4,200 ha of a jointly owned forest in Kukeji of Chii Village, Kitakuwada County; this area became the university's first domestic research forest and was given the name the "Ashiu Research Forest."
1921年に当時の京都帝国大学初の国内演習林として北桑田郡知井村九ヶ字共有林約4,200haに地上権を設定し、同地を芦生演習林と称したことから始まった。