Yoshinori (Yoshi) Tanaka
MSc Student
Bio
Yoshi has been keen to learn deeply about the connection to his ancestral roots and culture in an old village in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He has been studying socio-ecological issues that the village is facing due to modernization. He is particularly interested in reawakening the abandoned traditional coppicing and charcoal making process, which was the occupation of his late grandfather and the ancestors before him. He has been chasing the traces in the forest, such as coppiced trees, Japanese red pine snags, and the hand-built kiln. He has also been asking the elders what they remember of his grandfather practicing before the fossil fuel revolution. He believes that coppicing and charcoal making has been the heart of ecosystem maintenance, and reintroducing these practices will contribute to revitalization of the culture and forest of his village and regional ecosystem health that is connected and spread downstream.
His recent month-long visit to Masset, Haida Gwaii inspired him to look into the ancient connection between Japan and northern Haida Gwaii, intended and accidental cultural exchange of the seafarer peoples – expanding his mind from his personal roots to the Pacific Rim cultural connection.
Professional details
Three-Tree Project Society (NPO)
Incorporation Number: S0080525
Business Number: 73155 1354 BC0001
Position: Technical Director
ITA (SkilledTradesBC) Certified Arborist Technician
Photographic darkroom operator