Ma-san's Bamboo Charcoal (Porous Bamboo Charcoal) 40L (approx. 11kg) Manufactured by Ogura Bamboo Charcoal Research Association

【Product Features】
This is a soft bamboo charcoal that is gaining attention and being used by organic and natural farmers nationwide as a soil conditioner for farmland and forests.

◎ Although the capacity is listed as 40?, the size of the bamboo charcoal varies. We have taken more than 40? and weighed it, ensuring at least 11kg is included. Please understand that there may be slight variations. The quantity is for reference only.

◎ Manufactured using checkered steel plates and lined with steel plates, there may be impurities such as bamboo leaves, small branches, and small stones mixed in. We appreciate your understanding.

◎ Packaging will be in a plastic bag inside a reused cardboard box.

This is a soft, porous bamboo charcoal made from madake bamboo from the bamboo groves in the flood control forest along the Kuji River, a clear stream flowing through Ibaraki Prefecture.

【Motivation for Manufacturing】
In October 2019, due to Typhoon No. 19, the access roads in the designated flood control forest in Ibaraki Prefecture became impassable due to sludge accumulation. Therefore, local residents worked to remove the sludge and cut down fallen bamboo from the roads. At that time, much of the cut bamboo was incinerated. However, upon learning that bamboo charcoal could be used for agriculture and landscaping, we visited the Isumi Bamboo Charcoal Research Association, a certified NPO in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture, received guidance on bamboo charcoal production, and began making porous bamboo charcoal.

Unmanaged bamboo forests are encroaching on farmland and areas near levees. Particularly, bamboo forests that have grown close to levees can obstruct river flow during floods, creating a dam effect and whirlpools. The flood in 2019 occurred due to a levee breach in that vicinity.

【Use of Profits】
The profits from sales are planned to be used for the maintenance of unmanaged bamboo forests.

Currently, with the cooperation of several individuals, we are producing bamboo charcoal as the Ogura Bamboo Charcoal Research Group on a personal basis. If sales become stable, we will be able to maintain unmanaged bamboo forests with the cooperation of many local residents. Maintaining the bamboo forests will also lead to increased community interaction and awareness, and by fixing carbon, it will contribute to improving the global environment, making it a win-win-win situation.