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 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 area of Miyagi Prefecture, where Roopt properties are located, has many thriving primary industries, and some people offer content that allows visitors 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." They offer a chainsaw experience program for those who are interested in forestry but have never even touched a chainsaw, and I, an inexperienced writer, also participated. I hope this article makes you think, "I want to try using a chainsaw too."
Mr. Mori, as the representative employee of Momono-wa LLC, 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 individuals 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 several months of individual instruction.
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, an explanation of the current state of forestry and protective gear. The protective gear is designed considering all risks when handling a chainsaw, and just the explanation of it was already 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 entangle 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 manner, so I quickly understood its profound depth.
Apparently, the length and spacing of each chain tooth 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 captivated by this precision and 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! We 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 cut the wood easily without much force. However, it was difficult to cut straight (at the angle I intended), and even when I thought I had cut straight, the cross-section was often uneven. This is where delicate感覚 (sensory perception) is needed, not just theory.
A cat also came to observe midway through.
From there, it was just practice. We repeatedly cut wood straight and diagonally, checked the cross-sections, and then re-attempted by changing our body posture and the chainsaw's angle. 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 enjoyment of the chainsaw experience.
This time, I introduced the chainsaw experience program offered by Mr. Mori.
Opportunities to easily experience chainsaws, a fundamental technology in forestry, are not common, and 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. Furthermore, 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 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 area of Miyagi Prefecture is 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 area 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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