WORKPEDIA JAPAN!: Making Honey in Ehime - Where We Call Home

Key Concepts

• Pure Mikana Honey Harvesting: The central theme of the video, detailing the process of collecting and extracting honey from Mikana (mandarin orange) blossoms.
• Beekeeping Operations: Information on the scale of beekeeping, including the number of hives and bees.
• Traditional Japanese Beekeeping Methods: Emphasis on learning and applying traditional techniques.
• Unprocessed Honey Philosophy: A commitment to selling honey in its natural, unadulterated state.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: The partnership between an American beekeeper and a Japanese mentor.
• Sakura Honey: A specific type of honey harvested from cherry blossoms, highlighting its unique qualities and the desire to increase its production.
• Long-Term Commitment to Omishima Island: The aspiration to establish a lasting presence and contribute to the island's community.

Pure Mikana Honey Harvesting and Extraction

The video documents the day of harvesting and extracting pure Mikana honey on Omishima island. Benton Evan, an American beekeeper, works with his Japanese mentor, Ka, to collect the honey.

• Scale of Operation: The beekeeping operation consists of approximately 4,000 hives, with an estimated 15 to 70,000 bees per hive.
• Harvesting Process: The process involves checking the honeycombs. When the bees cap the honey cells, it signifies that the honey is ready for harvest. Benton gently brushes the bees off the combs, expressing a sentiment of "use me and out."

Traditional Japanese Beekeeping and Mentorship

A significant aspect of the video is the transmission of traditional Japanese beekeeping knowledge.

• Ka's Role: Ka, Benton's Japanese beekeeping mentor, is highlighted for his dedication to teaching Benton the Japanese methods. Benton expresses deep gratitude, stating, "I learned all of Japan's beekeeping methods from Ka-san, so my gratitude is profound."
• Benton's Appreciation: Benton acknowledges Ka's commitment, noting, "I can really feel that you are earnestly trying to learn the Japanese way of beekeeping, and I'm glad we can do this business together."

Commitment to Unprocessed Honey

A core principle for Benton and his partner is the commitment to selling honey in its purest form.

• Philosophy: They emphasize that the honey they receive is stored by the bees for their own needs, and they are essentially being given this resource. Therefore, they bottle and sell the honey exactly as it is extracted, with absolutely no processing or alteration.
• Benton's Stance: Benton states, "We want to be given the honey that they've stored for themselves, so we bottle and sell it as is, without any processing. We absolutely don't want you to compromise on that."

Cross-Cultural Partnership and Island Identity

The video showcases a unique partnership and a desire to represent the island's dedication to quality.

• Shared Vision: Benton expresses a hope that people will recognize that both an American and a Japanese individual are on this small island, creating such meticulously crafted honey.
• Benton's Quote: "I'd be happy if people understood that there are Japanese and Americans on this small island who are making honey with such dedication."

Sakura Honey and Future Aspirations

The video also touches upon a specific type of honey and the long-term vision for their beekeeping venture.

• Sakura Honey Discovery: Benton shares his excitement about harvesting Sakura (cherry blossom) honey for the first time, describing it as delicious and captivating.
• Cultivating Sakura Trees: He is actively growing more cherry trees to increase future Sakura honey harvests.
• Establishing Roots on Omishima: Benton articulates their aspiration to establish deep roots on Omishima island, mirroring the way the future sakura trees are taking hold. He states, "Just as the future sakura trees take root here, we hope to set down our roots here on Omishima and be here for a long time."

Conclusion

The video provides an intimate look into the meticulous process of pure Mikana honey harvesting on Omishima island, highlighting the dedication to traditional Japanese beekeeping methods, a strong commitment to unprocessed honey, and a burgeoning cross-cultural partnership. The aspiration to establish a lasting presence on the island, exemplified by the cultivation of sakura trees for future honey production, underscores a deep connection to the land and a vision for sustainable, high-quality beekeeping.