A Culture Built with Wood — Season 1, Episode 2: Kishu
Documentary • 5 min • 1 season, 3 episodes
Episode synopsis
Kishu, in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula, faces the Pacific Ocean and is famous among chefs worldwide for its charcoal production. The charcoal is known as Kishu Binchotan, and the wood used to make the charcoal is sourced from local mountains. For over 200 years, local charcoal makers have used an eco-friendly technique called selective cutting to cut down suitable trees and simultaneously promote new growth. Join us as we examine what fuels the charcoal culture of Kishu.
About A Culture Built with Wood
Forests cover close to 70 percent of Japan's land area. Japan's climate varies significantly from north to south, making it home to diverse forests. These forests have been an intrinsic part of Japanese culture since time immemorial.