Historical Interplay

 

FUSHI JOURNAL

Dec. 2023

歴史の相互作用： 燃料としての松林とマツタケの関係

Historical Interplay: Pine Forests as Fuel Source and the Matsutake Connection

昔、松林は貴重な燃料源であった。乾燥した松葉や松ぼっくりは焚き付けに利用され、庶民が競って集めた。松は日当たりを好む陽樹なので、落ち葉も少なければ土地が乾燥する。このような条件が揃うと、マツタケが出てくる。マツタケの菌は非常に弱く、他の植物や菌の影響を受けやすい。人と森林との関わりが、食まで影響を及ぼすという例である。

In the past, pine forests were a valuable source of fuel. Dried pine needles and pine cones were used for kindling, and common people competed to gather them. Since pine trees prefer sunny locations, there were fewer fallen leaves, and the land tended to be dry. Under these conditions, matsutake mushrooms would appear. The matsutake fungus is quite delicate and easily influenced by other plants and fungi. This is an example of how the interaction between humans and forests can even impact our food sources.