At the rented house in NAGAMINE (November 30, 1998)

In a left photograph the right side log is an URAJIROGASHI = Quercus salicina [Fagaceae] (oak of an evergreen). The other logs are TABUNOKI = Machilus thunbergii [Lauraceae] (the same family as a laurel). The deciduous tree of the oak family such as MIZUNARA = Quercus mongolica, KUNUGI = Quercus acutissima are often spent to the log that plants a SHIITAKE = Lentinus edodes (mushroom). However, there are not those trees in YAKUSHIMA. Even the deciduous tree such as YAMAZAKURA = Prunus jamasakura, AKASHIDE = Carpinus laxiflora are used as a log. However, those trees are in the national forests more than 1640 feet above the sea. There are many evergreens of the oak family like SHII and KASHI in the village of YAKUSHIMA. Therefore, those are often spent to the log. Because the bark of SHII and KASHI are thin we spend a thick tree on the log preferably. We fell them in Mid-January. And we dry them that leaves were attached for about one month. Then we cut those branches and cut the logs to about 3 feet. And we plant the fungus seeds of the SHIITAKE soon. Then we lay them, to cause the spawn to the logs prevailed and keep humidity. Generally, we put straws after we do a sufficient sprinkling to them and cover with a vinyl sheet. As for YAKUSHIMA, there is much rain and the humidity is high. Therefore we cross the logs into the forest of few daylight and pile up. The spawn will prevail to the logs in Mid-May. Then we lean them into the forest of the good ventilation and a little of daylight. SHIITAKEs begin to appear bit by bit from the autumn in the year.

Family