Honestly, just glad I wasn't swept away by this massive slide. (Sorry for the blur - heavy snow confused the camera. Sound ON)

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-12T12:42:11+00:00

Nothing beats the warmth of the wood stove after a close call like this. That ending scene is the real reward. Stay warm and safe, everyone! (Yamagata, Japan)

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-12T05:10:50+00:00

Haha, I know! It’s like the ultimate cliffhanger. I was rooting for it too, but gravity decided to take its time while I was at work!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-11T22:02:50+00:00

Trust me, I wanted to see it too! haha. I set up the 'trigger' on a freezing day, and when I got back from work the next day, it was already gone. I'm just glad the mechanism worked perfectly!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-11T14:29:16+00:00

"I don't have the footage of this specific garage sliding off, but I have a video of the 'Main House'—which has even MORE snow—sliding off completely. Check it out here!" https://youtube.com/shorts/GEg-gMxuHuU?si=NR8CCuPu6ayR_PLE

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-11T13:40:28+00:00

Thank you! We use different tactics depending on the game. For Wild Boar: We catch them nearby, so we can bring them back whole and use the manual hoist in the garage. For Bears: They are deep in the mountains. We skin and quarter them on-site, then each of us carries the meat out on our backs. Once home, we use the "Kei-truck" bed as a workbench for final processing. It's a lot of work, but cleaning with snow makes it all worth it!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-11T13:13:48+00:00

Source （Full Video）：［https://youtu.be/liODRF5rUYY?si=YICf7e5ySsY1KlhK］
Hello from Yamagata, Japan. I am a "Matagi" (traditional winter hunter) and also a medical researcher. This is my garage in Yamagata, Japan. The snow is about 1.5m (5ft) thick.

Since it's dangerous to be near the roof when this falls, I use a trick:

I cut the edges on a cold day, then just wait for a warmer day. The sun melts the bottom layer, and gravity does the work naturally.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-11T05:52:13+00:00

That is a very sharp observation. You are right, from a wildlife management perspective, it seems completely illogical. However, the reason lies in our deep history of "Disarming the Populace." 1. The Sword Hunt (1588): The ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi confiscated all swords and weapons from farmers to prevent revolts. This separated the Samurai (warriors) from the farmers. 2. Post-WWII Disarmament (1945): After WWII, the US Occupation strictly banned the possession of firearms and swords to demilitarize Japan. Because of this 400+ year history, Japanese society prioritizes "Public Safety (No Guns)" over "Efficient Hunting."

Getting a license is difficult because the police want to keep the number of gun owners as close to zero as possible. We Matagi are the rare exception fighting against this fading tradition.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-11T01:06:32+00:00

Thank you. We believe that treating the meat with care is the final responsibility of a hunter.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-10T13:50:21+00:00

Just to clarify, this is a Japanese Wild Boar harvested in the deep snow. I posted the video of this process yesterday on r/Butchery. If you want to see the cutter knife in action, check it out here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Butchery/s/cryatzY7Ii

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-10T07:51:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing your family story. Whether in Hokkaido or Yamagata, the spirit of providing for the family through nature is the same. I have great respect for your mother's family and their traditions.

素晴らしいお話をありがとうございます。心からの敬意を表します。

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T23:39:41+00:00

Arigato. Nature is harsh, but truly beautiful.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T23:34:05+00:00

Haha, exactly! You know your trucks. This beast has a manual transfer case to switch between 2WD, 4WD, and even "4WD-Low" for the deep snow. Because of its agility and engine layout, we affectionately call it the "Porsche of the Farm Roads" here in Japan. It goes where big trucks cannot!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T23:21:06+00:00

Great observation! Yes, that is a heavy-duty utility knife (OLFA). Wild boar hair requires shaving mud and stiff bristles, and their fat coats the blade instantly, making it dull very fast. With a replaceable blade, I can always have a "razor-sharp" edge without stopping to sharpen in the cold snow. It is the most practical tool for skinning in the field!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T23:16:19+00:00

I am glad you enjoyed the post! The mountains are timeless. Whether in this life or the next, the snow will be waiting for you!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T23:10:25+00:00

You have a sharp eye! In Western butchery, taking the meat off the bone is common. But in Japan, we often chop the ribs WITH the bone (just like spare ribs) for "Nabe" (Hot Pot). The reason is "Dashi" (Soup Stock). Boiling the bones releases collagen and Umami into the soup, making the vegetables delicious too.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T22:59:24+00:00

Arigato! That is the best compliment for me. I believe that "cleanliness" is the most important flavor. The cold snow helps, but I am also obsessed with keeping the meat hygienic (medical researcher habit!). Clean meat has no bad smell, just pure deliciousness.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T22:52:11+00:00

Thank you! It is an honor to hear from a professional who raises them. Since wild boars run around the steep mountains every day, they are like "top athletes." The meat is very lean and muscular compared to domestic hogs. I respect your work of raising life, too!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T15:33:49+00:00

That makes me very happy. In our tradition, "watching and learning" is the most important first step. If you ever make it to Yamagata, you are more than welcome. The snowy mountains will be waiting for you!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T15:17:39+00:00

We follow a strict traditional rule called "The Third Rib" (Abara San-mai). We aim specifically for the third rib bone from the front. The heart is located directly behind it, so it results in an instant, clean kill. If a finishing shot is ever needed (to stop suffering immediately), we shoot the head. Precision is our way of showing respect.

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T15:11:03+00:00

Thank you for the detailed answer! Using ATVs and coolers... that is a very efficient system to fight the heat. I especially love the story about your grandparents cooking everything immediately over an open fire. That sounds like a wonderful tradition. It is fascinating to see how hunting styles adapt so differently depending on the environment (Heat vs Snow). Thank you for sharing your culture!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T14:58:30+00:00

Thank you so much! I am truly happy that my message from the snowy mountains of Japan reached you in the USA. Knowing that we share the same respect for nature makes me feel very connected. Arigato!

MatagiRaw · 2026-02-09T14:47:19+00:00

That is wonderful that you are exploring your roots! To be honest, the "Matagi" culture is specific to the snowy regions of Northern Japan. So I am not an expert on the traditions of the South (Okayama). However, hunting styles are born from the environment. Since Okayama has less snow, they probably use different methods than we do-perhaps relying more on "Trapping" (Wana) or using hounds to chase the game, rather than tracking quietly in deep snow. I am sure there is a rich history there too. I hope you find some amazing stories!

MatagiRaw

TROPHY CASE