Suzuki Matsuji
Suzuki Matsuji | |
|---|---|
鈴木 松治 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 7, 1920 Uttō Village, Akita Prefecture, Empire of Japan |
| Died | March 15, 2005 (aged 85) |
Suzuki Matsuji (Japanese: 鈴木 松治; 1920–2005) was a Japanese matagi.
Biography
Suzuki was born on March 7, 1920, in the village of Uttō (打当), near Ani. In his village he was a shikari (しかり), a leader of hunting teams.[1]
He was known for his mastery of the single-shot Murata rifle, and many of the bears he killed died from one shot to the head. As a result, he was sometimes called Headshot Matsu (頭撃ちの松, atamauchi no Matsu).[1][2] When tracking bears in the mountains, Suzuki would often have to walk 30 to 40 kilometers in one day.[3] About walking in the mountains, Suzuki reportedly said:
The mountains aren't something you can be taught about; you have to learn them on your own as you hike them [...] and learn with your body. Gaining experience [in this way] is what matters most. You also have to think for yourself.[4]
In 1974, Suzuki traveled to the Himalaya Mountains as a member of the 2ⁿᵈ Himalayan Yeti Expedition Team (第二次ヒマラヤ雪男探検隊) led by Taniguchi Masahiko (谷口 正彦) of the Japanese Alpine Club.[1]
In 1987, Suzuki provided instruction for Tamura Takahiro during production of the matagi film Itazu Kuma.[2]
In his last years, Suzuki worked as a storyteller to preserve the heritage of Japan's ancient hunting culture and he was interviewed by anthropologists including Taguchi Hiromi.[4] At one point, he also worked at the Ani Kuma Bokujō.
Suzuki died in 2005.
See also
- Uttō Onsen
- Ōtaki Kuniyoshi
Bibliography
- 長田 Nagata, 雅彦 Masahiko (2015). 朝日新聞秋田支局 Asahi Shinbun Akita Branch Office (ed.). 最後の狩人たち─阿仁マタギと羽後鷹匠 The Last Hunters – Ani Matagi and Ugo Falconers. Japan: 無明舎出版 Mumyōsha Shuppan. ISBN 489544452X.
References
- 1 2 3 工藤 Kudō, 隆雄 Takao (2020). マタギに学ぶ登山技術 Learning from the Matagi - Mountain climbing techniques. Japan: ヤマケイ新書 Yamakei Shinsho. ISBN 978-4635040839.
- 1 2 "全国マタギの本家". あきた森づくり活動サポートセンター Akita Forest Stewardship Support Center. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ "第20回マタギサミットｉｎ阿仁参加報告 Report on the 20th Matagi Summit in Ani". 秋田のグリーンツーリズム Akita Agritourism. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- 1 2 田口 Taguchi, 洋美 Hiromi (April 1, 1994). マタギ: 森と狩人の記録 Matagi: Testament of Forest and Hunter. Japan: 慶友社 Keiyūsha. ISBN 4874491626.