Japan's 400-Year-Old Bear Hunt Is Spiritual

Hideo-san is one of the leaders of the Animatagi community. He is dressed in traditional clothes and holds a spear that has belonged to his family for nine generations.

Captain Sato draws his Matagi knife to dismember the animal. His family name is engraved on the blade.

The head of a Japanese black bear after being sectioned and skinned by Matagi hunters.

As part of the hunting ritual, Matagi dismember the animal in the forest by hand, leaving part of the intestines as an offering to the mountain goddess. The rest will be divided up to be transported back to the village.

A Matagi hunter smokes at the foot of the mountain after having successfully completed the hunt.

The hunters now use modern rifles and outfits, combined with traditional utensils of their own community. Twenty-first century Matagis are expert shooters. The vivid colours of their vests serve to distinguish them from the foliage and avoid accidents.

After distributing the prey, Oguni hunters gather under the roof of Captain Sato to start a ritual. Endo-san, one of the most respected Matagi in the community, officiates the prayer with a bear’s heart and a bottle of sake.

Once the hunt is completed, all the participants share the work of dividing the animal into equal parts. Everyone has the right to the same proportion of meat and skin.