Thursday, July 20, 2023
Mr. Moriaki Tanaka, 86, a resident of Hokuryu Town, owns forests in the neighboring towns of Uryu, Minotsu, and Makioka.
We were told that he was in good health and was working on mowing and cutting down lower branches in the mountain forest, so we visited him in the forest.
The rice paddy fields in this neighborhood of Makioka were purchased and cultivated by Mr. Tanaka after the war. Although he has given up the rice fields, he still owns a forest of about 5 towns, and the wooded area is about 50 years old.
Already 20 days this year for mowing and other upkeep.
![山について楽しそうに語る田中盛亮さん](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
The Kita Sorachi Forest Union planted trees at intervals of 1.8 m in a part of a mountain forest 20 years ago. It has been three years since Mr. Moriaki Tanaka, a member of the cooperative, started mowing the plantation area.
Whenever he is feeling well, he visits the forest with a mower and spends two hours cutting trees and weeds. This year, Mr. Tanaka says he has been going there for 20 days.
Mowing is 'scary' (tiring) because it makes my back hurt, but I enjoy it when I take good care of the grass.
The deciduous mushroom larch is growing naturally, and I look forward to harvesting udo and bracken next year.
I would like to continue to cut down miscellaneous trees, and enjoy it at my own pace, taking it as slowly as I can without overdoing it," says Tanaka with a smile.
Forest plan (area enclosed by thick red line)
![山の図面(雨竜役場提供)](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Area where lower branches were cut down and grass was carefully mowed.
![下枝を伐採し、丁寧に草刈りをした場所](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Trees must be 50 years old before they can be cut down," says Mr. Tanaka.
![「樹木は、50年経過しないと伐採できません」とお話する田中さん](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Beautifully maintained mountain forest like a campground.
![キャンプ場のような綺麗に整備された山林](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Trees 20 years old
![樹齢20年の樹木](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
A wooded area where deer often come
![鹿がよく来るという雑木林](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Mr. Tanaka shows that "behind here grows an udo (Japanese udo).
![「この奥にはウドが生えています」と示す田中さん](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Forests with refreshing breezes
![爽快な風が吹き抜ける森林](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Water for agriculture (water from Shotsubetsu Dam)
![農業用水(暑寒別ダムの水)](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
Water poured into neighboring fields
![隣の畑に注がれる用水](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/themes/the-thor/img/dummy.gif)
The cycle of life in nature, shining green, eventually decaying, and returning to the soil.
We express our infinite love, gratitude, and prayers to the great energy power of the magnificent mountain forests that nurture and live together with nature.
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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi)