The 1,000-year-old Japanese tradition of growing natural Shiitake contains wisdom that may be obscure to modern mass agricultural techniques. The video records the knowledge and experience of a master local Shiitake farmer who can remember at least three generations of Shiitake cultivation. He will reveal how traditional approaches are often better for our environment and produce a better quality Shiitake.

In Part 1, the master Shiitake farmer, Mr. Yasuo Hirosue, explains how trees cut to grow Shiitake will repeatedly grow back naturally. Discover how he increases the chances for the trees to grow quicker and stronger and improves the health of the surrounding forest. With the master farmer's experience and know-how, he helps nature do a better job.

In the spring, seedlings will grow from the stumps we cut for Shiitake. New trees grow back from the stumps. The oak trees in the mountains will re-grow in 15 years when we will again cut down the trees for logs. Our Forest-grown Shiitake cultivation approach has been used for over 1,000 years.

1) When sawtooth oak is cut, new shoots grow from the stump, and when sunlight reaches the ground, undergrowth and new trees grow.

2) The mountain's water-holding capacity will increase, and the young trees will have a higher CO2 absorption capacity than old trees.

3) Shiitake cultivation regenerates the forest in about 15 years without planting trees.