「山の守り人『マタギ』～自然との共生を体験する旅」をテーマに、山や自然との共生を図りSDGsにも通じるマタギの精神や、マタギに起源を持つ秋田犬などの地域資源を体験する旅を提案する。

「マタギ」とは集団で狩猟を生業とし、山と暮らす人々。山への畏敬の念を持ち、独自の儀式を行うマタギの狩猟は一般的な猟師と一線を画す。

「マタギは、クマをとったとか、捕まえたと言わないで、授かるという。山の神様からギフトとして、いただいたもの。」
「マタギは定住しながら狩猟をするため、山を次の世代まで残すことを考え、すべてを獲り尽くさない。」
と語るマタギの織山英行さん。自身のゲストハウスを訪れる方々にマタギ文化を伝えている。

また、マタギと共に歩いていた狩猟犬。世界的にも知名度の高い秋田犬は、この狩猟犬をルーツに持つ。

人間が山に入ることで、種が運ばれ、道ができ、小動物がそこを行き交い、命が巡る。
秋田の山と共に生きるマタギと一緒に、自然の中で育まれる、本当の心の豊かさを感じに出かけませんか？

Take a trip to be one with nature and learn about the Matagi mountain hunters and protectors. Feel the Matagi spirit of coexistence with the mountains and nature, which also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and get up close with local resources including the Akita dog breed, which has its origin in the Matagi.

The Matagi people live in the mountains and hunt in groups as a way of life. Their reverence for the mountains and unique rituals set apart the Matagi from general hunters.

“The Matagi do not say they have hunted down or captured a bear. To these hunters, the bear is a gift they have received from the mountain gods.” “The Matagi are hunters that call the mountains their permanent home. So they do not hunt everything in their area, as they are conscious about leaving resources for the next generation.” These comments are from Matagi hunter Hideyuki Oriyama, who runs his own guest house where he guides visitors about the Matagi culture.

The Akita dog breed, also well known worldwide, has its roots in the hunting dog that was a faithful companion of the Matagi.

When people enter the mountains, they bring seeds and create paths where small animals can come and go, supporting the cycle of life.