スクリプトは事前提出されたものですので、ビデオの音声とは異なる場合があります。 ビデオの読み込みに時間がかかる場合は、下段の Small 版をお試しください。

Ipponsugi: Cedar-Log Riding in Kito

UETA, Kohei (Anan National College of Technology)

Oh no! Ipponsugi, the cedar log that I’m riding now, is running into a rock. I’m off-balanced on the cedar log in the stream. I don’t know how to stay on the log of 4m in length and 30cm in diameter, using only a 2 meter long bamboo pole to keep balance. But, by all means, I have to manage the situation! I need to master more skills to travel down this long river of 40㎞ without falling from the log!

Everybody, do you know the “Cedar Log-Riding Competition in Kito” held every August? Cedar-log riding in the river is a traditional skill to transport timber to the market from a deep mountain area using the river. People rode on unstable big round cedar logs, which were the merchandise itself, like a boat and steered them downstream. In the past, it was the only means to transport timber and the skill was absolutely essential to support people’s living as it was their main income source. Of course, it was very dangerous, so some people lost their lives during their mission. Now, paying respect to the tradition, every summer, the Cedar Log-Riding Competition is held in Kito of Tokushima by the Preservation Group to preserve and pass down this traditional skill to younger generations.

Actually, my father started the practice of cedar log-riding in Kito about 13 years ago. He often took me to Kito with him when practicing. I was a first grader at that time. When I saw it for the first time, I thought “That’s impossible!” You may agree with me if you see it! But, at the time, I thought, “That’s really cool! How do I look if I can do it?” Gradually, I got hooked by the charm of cedar log-riding. I don’t know where such a confidence came from, but I came to believe, “I can do it!” when I was a seventh grader. So, I naturally started practicing cedar log-riding. In the beginning, it was difficult for me to just stand on a cedar log. But, the longer I could ride the more ambitious I became. I always wanted to reach the next level! Setting my heart on reaching the target point, my body had countless bruises when I finished the practice for the day. Then, I started to participate in the “Cedar Log-Riding Competition in Kito” every August. According to the cedar-riding performance, we can get a license for the mastery of five levels; beginner, intermediate, advanced, quasi-master and master. Currently, I am an advanced log-rider while my father is a master. My dream is becoming the youngest master, which now my father is, before I become 20 years old.

But, why am I so absorbed by Cedar Log-Riding? There are two reasons. For one thing, it’s the charm of nature! I can feel it with five senses like… the beautiful scenery with my eyes, the sound of water with my ears, the coldness of water with my skin, the fragrance of mountain trees with my nose, and taste of water (I drank it countless times when I fell into the water.)?? But, you may think I can experience those in other water sports such as swimming.

So, here comes the second reason. Behind the technique of Log-Riding, I can see the history and people’s life in my home town.

For example, my respectable masters can recover from the water skillfully and jump onto a log from a high place dynamically, and in the competition, some people entertain the audience by making them laugh. But all of the techniques were developed for timber transportation work to support people’s living, risking their lives. For example, the recovery skill was essential if they were thrown off a log. If they couldn’t do it, they would lose their life in the cold winters losing body heat. In other words, these skills were a part of people’s living and culture. This makes log-riding masters look cool and stimulates my DNA.

I also think that it is our mission to pass down the culture and tradition to the next generation.

Now, my story returns to the beginning. Yes! I have to manage the situation, imaging that I am now carrying this valuable timber on a journey of 20 km to a lumber port. Dreaming of the day when I become a real log-riding master, I practice today and tomorrow!!