The third interviewee of LOUPE vol.4 was "The mushroom research institute of Japan".

THe interviewer was Fumitaka Yanagisawa.

Just the word mushroom sounds attractive, so we were excited to know the existence of the institute.

We arrived the meeting late because of the train accidents, but Mr. Takeshi Nakazawa a researcher welcomed us very kindly.

After our explanation of the concept of the feature topic, he started introducing the laboratory.

First, he explained how to culture hyphae of mushroom.

The fact that the mushrooms are from hyphae, and these are just the same as molds amazed me very much, though it might be basic knowledge.

The hyphae are first cultivated in petri dish, then in a tube.

Here is bed log laying yard.

They adjust the amount of light and humidity, and cultivate the mushroom.

Inside; logs are beautifully put together.

"Are there Shiitake mushrooms?" "Over there!"

Small ones are coming out from a few logs.

It was the end of February, and sometimes it snows.

"There will be a bunch of mushrooms in a few weeks." Mr. Nakazawa said.

At other place people make tips which helps to inoculate logs with hyphae.

The inoculated logs are left for a while ...

There are many progresses to raise the mushrooms.

Since Shiitake mushrooms take more than one and a half years to grow, it takes long time to make sure which mushrooms become good variety.

Every day, a person take good care the logs which seems changeless, and when the day comes he hear the little sound of mushroom growing. 

Mr Nakazawa told us joufully. 

At last, he showed us the cultivation on solid media.

After the tour, long lecture lastid until late at night.

I thank you very much for all who demonstrated and gave the lectures.