Life In Japan: Harvesting Rice

First, they prepare the soil.

Then they plant the rice.

The rice grows.

Then . . . 

[ DRUM ROLL ]

They harvest the rice!

Can you feel the excitement?

Granted it’s not as riveting as World Cup Rugby. . . or watching the Oscars . . . or having Vladimir Putin drop by for lunch.

But it’s what they do here in Tambasasayama — year after year.  It’s the cycle of farming, the rhythm of the seasons, the drumbeat of life.

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Being raised in a major city, a factory town no less, I find this whole business fascinating.  Almost magical!  Detroit didn’t have any farms back then, though I hear these days there are quite a few organic gardens in the empty lots remaining after the houses are burned down. 

To really do this right requires bringing out some industrial-strength gadgetry.

I tell people I live in the middle of rice and soybean fields.  Indeed we do.  They of course rotate the crops to keep the soil full of vitality.  And throw other vegetables into the mix.

Just a few days ago, quite late in the season, they finally harvested the rice growing directly in front of our home.  As you can see in the photo below, we have a forest right behind us.  That’s my wife Masumi’s Mazuda Demio sitting out front of our place. 

She thinks it’s funny I take so many “farm photos”.  I guess it is.