Tales of a Charcoal Burner

Toshikatsu Ue is a young charcoal burner in Wakayama Prefecture, carrying on his family’s tradition through demanding daily work. He shows readers how charcoal is made, sharing the laborious process from his own perspective. Alongside accounts of his everyday life, Toshikatsu recounts folk tales passed down in the region since ancient times. The story follows his work and the traditions surrounding it.