The Easy Life in Kamusari (Forest, #1)

by Shion Miura

Felling the tree to the right as you faced the ridge was “right ax,” and felling it to the left was “left ax.” There were eight possible directions. The upper right diagonal was oikoma, and the lower diagonal was left or right komazaka. A horizontal fell was yokogi, “crosspiece,” straight back was gombei, “hayseed,” and straight forward was shombentare, “piss-pants.” Amazingly, Yoki never failed to fell the tree exactly as directed. What’s more, he did it with just his ax. It was a superhuman feat. A demonstration of true craftsmanship. Much as I hated to admit it, Yoki was awesome. “Gombei and shombentare are only for idiots,” Iwao explained. “Either way, the tree comes sliding straight down the slope. Dangerous as hell. Shombentare is the worst. The tree crashes so hard against the ground, it breaks in pieces. One of them hits you and you’re a goner.” “A shombentare will make you piss your pants, no mistake.” Old Man Saburo shook his head. Iwao went on, “Unless there’s something really in the way, you always want to make the tree fall uphill. That’s basic. It’s easier to fell the tree and haul it out that way.”