One winter day, we pursued black bears in the deep forest. Nothing around, the sun shining and the air crisp. We had barely eaten anything in over four days. We were just exhausted. Suddenly, one of the Matagi mumbled, having a faraway look on his face. “What’s that something moving?” There were, no doubt, two black bears crossing the iced river. Once Matagi confirmed theｍ with the binoculars, they quickly dispersed to their positions against the side of the chine, at a distance of 1-5 km from here. And it meant the fighting was about to begin. The chief of Matagi had the last word to go away,” We’re being just for this time.”

 

Initially, the self-sufficient males living in the deep forest and mountain areas were called “MATAGI” in Japanese. They represent one of the indigenous tribes. Before the 1960’s, most of them lived almost without money. However, the situation changed in the 1970s, during a period of high economic growth. Some of them moved to towns to find more modern and comfortable jobs. As the years passed, the Matagi were considered only as a kind of hunter living in rural areas of Japan. Nowadays, they face the possible extinction of their traditions.