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Since Gankoyama was established 10 years ago it has practised a consistent
policy of protecting the environment. It does this by managing its current use
of natural resources. In actual terms, it makes maximum use of the available
natural resources; the Sun, water, trees, soil and wind. We can keep on
using these natural resources in our every day life if we use them wisely.
This culture of using natural resouces was probably a technique established
in the Edo period and is something which we should be proud of. For example, the
life cycle of Japanese forests has been contolled and manipulated artificially
by humans to create firewood and timber. In South Boso, Chiba, a lot
of matebashii trees (local trees) have been planted as a windbreak.
These trees are used for firewood or to make grips for farming tools. Wood from
these trees is also used to smoke mackerel, which is called Namari-bushi and is
a popular local food in this area. If a moderate amount of these trees are not
cut down by people, the forest will become too dark due to the massive amount of
leaves in the canopy and the forest will be ruined because the fertility of the
soil will be lost. This cycle of using and maintaining trees protects the forest
environment. If you understand and enjoy supporting yourself by using the nature
at hand you will become a Tree House Master.