The Easy Life in Kamusari (Japanese: Kamusari nānā nichijō) is a 2009 novel by Shion Miura. It follows Yuki Hirano, a city native, as he works a forestry job in a remote mountain area. A movie adaptation (Wood Job!) premiered in 2014. The novel was translated into English by Juliet Winters Carpenter in 2021.
Synopsis
Yuki Hirano, recently graduated from high school, finds himself signed up for forestry work by his parents. Traveling to work in the remote village of Kamusari is difficult in many ways for Yuki, who was born and raised in the city; a new coworker even takes Yuki's cell phone and cheerfully disposes of it.
Over the course of a year, the young man comes to appreciate the meticulous process of taking care of the trees and the environment around him.
Characters
Yuki Hirano - a young man from Yokohama, disillusioned with life and unexpectedly signed up for forestry work in mountainous, remote, forested Kamusari. Nao - a local schoolteacher in the village, and sister of Risa. She has a crush on Seiichi (her sister's husband). Yoki Iida - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. He has bleached blond hair and a sense of humor. Yoki's wife is Miho; they live with Granny Shige. Iwao Tanabe - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. Old Man Saburo - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. Seiichi Nakamura - the friendly head of Nakamura Lumber. His wife, Risa, is the sister of Nao. Risa and Seiichi's son is named Santa.