"If I'm going to live in the countryside instead of the city, I want to do things that can only be done there." I hear such voices surprisingly often. In particular, many people want to get involved in primary industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, but it's difficult to find an opportunity to do so. Many coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture, where Roopt properties are located, are thriving in primary industries, and some people offer content that allows you to experience these industries firsthand.
This time, we will introduce the activities of Yuma Mori, who runs the "Weekend Forester Training School" in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, which aims to "make forestry more accessible and increase the number of people involved in forestry." He offers a chainsaw experience program for those who are interested in forestry but have never even touched a chainsaw, and I, an inexperienced person, also participated in the experience. I hope that after reading this article, you will think, "I want to try using a chainsaw too."
Mr. Mori, as the representative employee of G.K. Momonowa, operates a business that trains "weekend foresters" who "enjoy forestry on weekends while holding a main job." He says that "the process of felling trees and designing forest spaces while imagining 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 feature of his program is that individuals can choose a program that matches their level of desire, 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 also participated on the same day, and most of the people in the photos are that person.
Mr. Mori makes an effort to thoroughly verbalize and quantify each technique, rather than the common "learn by watching!" approach often found in the world of craftsmen. He carefully lectured and advised me, an absolute beginner to both forestry and chainsaws, so that I could understand immediately just by listening.
First, an explanation of the current state of forestry and protective gear. The protective gear is designed considering all risks when handling a chainsaw, and the explanation alone was already eye-opening. For example, even if a chainsaw blade gets caught in the protective gear, it is designed so that the blade and the fibers of the protective gear intertwine effectively to stop the chainsaw's movement.
Next, he taught me about the chainsaw itself. He explained its structure and how it works theoretically, one by one, so I immediately understood 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 like I understood a little bit the feelings of those who are fascinated by this delicacy and decide to challenge themselves in forestry.
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 imagined, and the chainsaw itself was heavy, so I could easily cut wood without much force. However, it was difficult to cut straight (at the angle I wanted), and even when I thought I had cut straight, the cross-section was often uneven. This is probably where delicate感覚 (sensory perception) is needed, 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 chainsaw 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 touch a chainsaw, which is a fundamental skill in forestry, are not common, and I thought this program, which not only offers an experience but also teaches various knowledge, is highly recommended for anyone with even a slight interest in forestry. Also, I felt that it is an activity as aggressive as sports and as creative as art, so I hope that more people will become "weekend foresters" who enjoy it as a life's work rather than a job.
Mr. Mori's "Weekend Forester Training School" is open all year round, so if you are 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 thriving in primary industries, and not only Mr. Mori, but also many young workers are active in fisheries and agriculture. I feel that this region offers many opportunities to get involved 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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