If you're going to live in the countryside instead of the city, you want to do things you can only do there. We hear this sentiment surprisingly often. In particular, many people seek involvement in primary industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, but it can be difficult to find an entry point. The coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture, where Roopt properties are located, have many thriving primary industries, and some individuals offer content that allows people to experience these industries firsthand.
This time, we will introduce the activities of Yuma Mori, who operates the "Weekend Forester Training School" in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, with the goal of "making forestry more accessible and increasing the number of people involved in forestry." He offers chainsaw experience programs for those who are interested in forestry but have never even touched a chainsaw, and I, an inexperienced writer, also participated in the experience. I hope this article makes you think, "I want to try using a chainsaw too."
Mr. Mori, as the representative employee of G.K. Momonowa, operates a business focused on training "weekend foresters" who "enjoy forestry on weekends while holding a main job." He states that "the process of felling trees and designing forest spaces while envisioning 100 years into the future is very creative," and his goal is to convey this appeal and increase the number of people involved in forestry. A characteristic of his program is that participants can choose a course tailored to their level of interest, from the half-day chainsaw experience covered in this article to the "Weekend Forester Training Course," which offers individual instruction over several months.
Weekend Forester Training School Website:https://myuman.wixsite.com/sansuigoschool/home
From here, I will introduce the chainsaw experience program that I also participated in. *Another person participated on the same day, and most of the photos show that person.
Mr. Mori makes an effort to thoroughly verbalize and quantify each technique, rather than the common craftsman's approach of "learn by watching!" He carefully lectured and advised me, making it easy for me, who had no familiarity with forestry or chainsaws, to understand immediately just by listening.
First, there was an explanation of the current state of forestry and protective gear. The protective gear is designed with all risks in mind when handling a chainsaw, and the explanation alone was eye-opening. For example, if a chainsaw blade gets caught in the protective gear, the blade and the fibers of the gear are designed to intertwine effectively, stopping the chainsaw's movement.
Next, he taught me about the chainsaw itself. He explained its structure and how it works in a logical way, so I quickly grasped its depth.
Apparently, the length and spacing of each blade on the chain also have meaning, and even a slight difference can significantly change how the wood is cut and how it falls. I felt I understood a little of what attracts people to forestry due to its delicate nature.
After a lecture on the basic use of a chainsaw, it was finally time to experience cutting wood with a chainsaw! I repeated the series of steps: "turn on the chainsaw, start the engine, rotate the chain blade to cut the wood, then stop the rotation and turn off the power."
The blade rotated much faster than I expected, and the chainsaw itself was heavy, so I could cut the wood easily without much force. However, it was difficult to cut straight (at the angle I intended), and often, even when I thought I had cut straight, the cross-section was uneven. This must require a delicate sense rather than just theory.
A cat also came to observe midway through.
From there, it was just practice. I repeatedly cut wood straight and diagonally, checked the cross-sections, changed my body posture and the chainsaw's angle, and tried again. It was a fun time, like a sports practice session.
Finally, a commemorative photo. All three of us have bright expressions, which I hope conveys the fun of the chainsaw experience.
This time, I introduced the chainsaw experience program offered by Mr. Mori.
Opportunities to easily interact with chainsaws, a fundamental technology in forestry, are not common, and this program, which not only offers an experience but also teaches various knowledge, seemed highly recommended for anyone with even a slight interest in forestry. Furthermore, I felt it was an activity as aggressive as sports and as creative as art, so I hope that more "weekend foresters" will emerge who enjoy it as a life's work rather than just a job.
Mr. Mori's "Weekend Forester Training School" is open all year round, so if you're interested, please contact him!
Weekend Forester Training School Website:https://myuman.wixsite.com/sansuigoschool/home
As mentioned earlier, the coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture are rich in primary industries, and not only Mr. Mori, but also many young people are actively involved in fisheries and agriculture. I feel that this region offers many opportunities to engage in primary industries, with various experience programs and events that make these industries accessible. If you are interested in agriculture, fisheries, or forestry, please use Roopt to visit Miyagi at least once.
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