The Matagi are traditional hunters living in small towns and villages in the northern highlands of Honshu, the main island of Japan. Since their origins, in the mid-16th century, they have survived thanks to the consumption and selling of meat, skins and other products derived from hunting. Their main prey is the Japanese black bear, a subspecies listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
However, the Matagi never approach hunting as a recreational or sporting activity. They only capture what is necessary for regulated sale and self-consumption, or for the purpose of protecting rural and agricultural settlements from wild animals. Although they have evolved in various aspects, they still retain many ideals and beliefs inherited from their ancestors. These communities recognize nature as a conscious presence that sustains them, but expects responsible behavior in return. The Matagi believe they are granted permission by the mountain goddess (Yama-no-Kami) to hunt. Therefore the activity is carried out with a sense of utmost reverence and respect for the natural balance.