The field of agriculture and a partner.
It was early December when I visited. The mandarin oranges were at their peak.
On this day, he guided us to a place where trees that are about 30 years old and have been cultivated since his grandfather's generation stand side by side. 90 kg of mandarin oranges are harvested from each tree, and harvesting is basically done by hand, carefully cutting them one by one using scissors. This process is repeated from the end of September until around February of the following year.
Many of the mandarin oranges are located on top of mountains or on slopes, and the work involves repeated ascents and descents. When picking oranges close to the ground, he has to bend down. In places with poor footholds, Mr. Wakamatsu relies on "Brand Stone.
Farming is hard on the feet. You are on your feet for long hours, walking on slopes, and getting covered in mud. But I can stand on Brand Stone shoes, and although it may not be proper care, they don't stain, so if they get dirty, I can wash them quickly. And I can go to town in them, which is really great.
Mr. Wakamatsu's "Brand Stone" has been worn for six years now. The uppers have aged and the soles have been replaced once. The sole has been replaced once, showing how much he has loved his shoes.
Mr. Wakamatsu's favorite pair of "Brandstone" shoes are the "CLASSICS" series in black. The rubber on the sides was chewed up by his dog, Candy, and the sole was replaced with "Vibram," making it a pair that can never be replaced.
Mr. Wakamatsu first encountered this pair in Australia, the country where "Brand Stone" was born.
I studied abroad in Melbourne before I took over the farm business. At the time, I thought the old guys at the construction site there were wearing strangely cool boots, so I checked them out and that's how I first encountered "Brand Stone. I started to become aware of them, and then I realized that everyone was wearing them. Young and old, clothing enthusiasts and non-clothing enthusiasts alike.
In Japan, these boots are popular as street shoes, but in their home country, they are the choice of many people regardless of occupation or age. They are also sold at workwear stores and have been supplied to the military in the past.
And besides, they're designed to be worn all the time," he said. I think it is a true combination of practicality and good looks. I'm not exaggerating; I would recommend it to all farmers."
When I came down from working in the mandarin orchard, Mr. Wakamatsu offered me a glass of freshly squeezed "Tangerine" juice.
The orange juice that came out of the tap at the Matsuyama Airport was delicious, but the juice at Tangerine was clearly on a different level. However, Tangerine's juice was clearly on a different level. It has a rich aroma and just the right balance of sweetness and sourness. It has a pleasant bitterness at the end. Yet, it is still smooth and easy to drink. This is delicious.
If you are interested, please visit us online. Juice made from this year's oranges will be available soon.
