SUPER SENIORS!: Mountain Metalworking - Dig More Japan
#japanese #culture #WASTENOTWANTNOT #DigMoreJapan #ZeroWasteLife #wabisabi #sumo
Farmers on the steep slopes of a Tokushima mountain village turn to a neighbor with blacksmithing skills to keep their tools sharp.
Hammer blows echo through the mountains.
We join Bobby Judo on a cycling trip to Tsurugi, Tokushima,
riding up steep mountain roads.
Huge hill up there.
There's a couple of farmers out working on the side there.
It's a nearly 40 degree slope.
The Nishi-Okadas have been farming this land
for over 50 years.
We can't do it alone.
We need to work together.
We need to help each other no matter what.
Neighboring families help each other at harvest time.
Everyone shares the work on its fruits.
They rely heavily on the local blacksmith.
He's a farmer also expert
at repairing essential farming tools.
He modifies tools to match the inclines
of the hillside fields.
Omori became a blacksmith 10 years ago at age 72.
With fewer village blacksmiths,
local farmers came to rely on him.
Without him, farming here would be impossible.
Is it profitable?
It's not profitable at all.
It's convenient, and everyone comes to help.
I'm already 82 years old,
but I don't know when I'll die.
I want to do what I like,
and live my life to the fullest.
I don't know if I'll live for 2 or 3 years.
I'd rather die than live like that.