matagi costumes — Matagi costumes in 1917│via Shinjo Archive

Do a quick Google search of the Matagi from northern Japan and you’ll start to notice a pattern. A man holding up a bear like it’s a trophy catch, either in front of a wooden cabin or smack in the middle of his kitchen. Others show up dressed in traditional gear, stoically posing in the snow, majestic mountains looming behind them like a movie set. Scroll a bit more and you’ll probably bump into some Ainu imagery too—Japan’s Indigenous people often bundled into the same visual archive, whether they like it or not.

The matagi are said to have descended from the Ainu as they moved southward from Hokkaido. Matagi use a lot of Ainu vocabulary and have their own mountain language, used when hunting in order to avoid pollution from the modern world into the mountain environments. Inhabiting forests in the Tohoku region predominantly in the Ani region in Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, the matagi continue their way of life whilst confronting modern times.

Who Are The Matagi?

Often referred to as mountain men or bear hunters, the origins of the matagi date back to the Heian period (794–1185) going into the Mieji era and the first half of the Showa era. Things started shifting in the Meiji era. Fur prices went up, trains and roads made it easier to move wild game around, and hunting suddenly got a bit more modern. The Matagi adapted. You had the drifters—wandering hunters—and the locals, the ones with deeper roots and usually sharper skills. Fast forward to today, and the Matagi are still out there, blending old-school mountain wisdom with a kind of spiritual respect for the land. It’s not just about tracking animals anymore—it’s about looking after the place they’ve called home for centuries.

The matagi hunt-and have hunted-wild animals for both food and population control, forage for ethnobotanical relevant plant species with medicinal value, and care for the mountain ecosystems of their communities. Hunting season lasts from winter into early spring. Before entering the forest to hunt or forage for wild edibles (such as mushrooms), usually in groups, a prayer is offered to Yamanokami, the mountain goddess. A branch of morobi, a type of fir tree, is then burned, as this is said to avert evil and cleanse the Matagi of the scents of human civilization from outside the mountain forest

The Environment and The Bear

When an animal is killed, it is seen as a gift from the mountain goddess, and thanks is offered to the mountain deities both before and after the hunt. During the late spring hunting season (April–May), the Asian black bear is killed quickly—usually with a single shot—to minimize its suffering. In the past, bears were hunted using longbows and knives. The meat is then divided equally among the hunting group, and no part is wasted.

The bear is a sacred animal to the Matagi. The serow—a goat- or antelope-like creature—was once hunted as a source of food and income; however, it later became a protected species. The Matagi view the bear as a gift from the mountain deities, providing both food and traditional medicine. The gall bladder of the black bear contains medicinal properties and was historically sold for income during harsh winters when crops could not be grown. Their way of life has been shaped by the hardships faced by their ancestors.

Today, the Matagi use their traditional knowledge to sustain the forest environments surrounding their villages. Educating youth and tourists on forestry, tree species, plant ecology, and survival methods is a key part of their mission.

matagi hunters — Matagi│via Wikimedia Commons│© 佐藤良美

Matagi In The Media

The Matagi and their culture have been featured in manga, film, and television. In Golden Kamuy, a manga by Satoru Noda, the character Genjirou Tanigaki is of Matagi descent. Tanigaki also appears in the film adaptation of the same name, directed by Shigeaki Kubo and released in January 2024 in Japanese theaters, later appearing on streaming services such as Netflix.

The Matagi have also been featured in photography and short documentaries—most notably by Spanish photographer Javier Corso for National Geographic in 2017. In 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications produced a segment titled Matagi Mountain Hunters and Protectors – A Trip to Be One with Nature, available on YouTube. NHK World-Japan also released a short segment titled Matagi Mountain featuring cyclist Michael Rice, also available on YouTube.

Going Forward

Matagi culture has faced criticism from animal rights groups due to rising concerns over biodiversity loss and species extinction. Traditional hunting practices have been protested globally, especially when practiced by Indigenous communities. Combined with assimilation policies and modern societal shifts, Matagi culture has gradually declined.

Today, only a few small communities remain, where young Matagi hunters continue the traditions of their grandparents and ancestors by engaging with tourists who stay in their homes—many of which have been turned into guesthouses. The Matagi have carried their way of life into the modern era, acting as stewards of the forest and educators of environmental sustainability for both locals and visitors from outside Japan.

Text by Nicholas Vazquez Nanda