I think chemistry is very important when it comes to finding a Satoyama piece of land for your own.
Like we find various characteristics in people, for example, “kind and handsome” or “looks quiet on the surface but very funny actually,” every Satoyama land has its own uniqueness and characteristics.
There is a land that I am looking into, and her characteristics are;
i) Tall with round shoulders (“there are mountains behind its back” as interpreted for Satoyama”)
ii) Maybe very cute? (“people used to live in the land”)
iii) Loner (“there are only two neighbors around”)
Tall with round shoulders
An old Japanese traditional house stands on the high terrace located in the shoulder of a small mountain, the edge line leading up to the head part, to a bigger mountain. There is a path running from rice terrace to and on the edge of the mountains where we believe mountain gods reside. The place has mysterious atmosphere that we can easily associate with tales of old Japan.
Maybe very goodlooking?
Now the land has gone to pot after being abandoned for more than ten years. However, there are all kinds of natural resource that would help make living around the old house, like Japanese orange, fig, persimmon and pomegranate, rice paddies, Japanese cedar trees and bamboo trees. I expect that the land will turn to “very pretty woman” with good care.
Loner
The land is located in a tiny village. There are only two neighbors around. You can see stars beautifully in the darkness. It is in very peaceful and quiet area.
There are, off course, weak points in the land. You have to newly lay water and drain in the land since the old ones were torn down. The land is located on the north edge of a small mountain instead of south. But I think they can be overcome with the wisdom of Kikori (logger).
I think the land is rough diamond and can turn into beautiful 10 carat diamond in the future. Working on the land may be a challenge I am happy to take with my DIY spirit.
The land is not perfect, but I liked the characteristics at my first site. I think chemistry matters when finding a Satoyama land for your own.