Heather , the rice planter? I'm not quitting my day job...

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It was a very cultural day in Japan...one of the most exciting events I've attended this year. I went to a small town in the northern part of Hiroshima prefecture to plant rice as it used to be done. As I'm sure everyone is aware, rice is an extremely important staple in the Japanese diet. It used to be planted by hand, however this method has been taken over by machines. Now the only rice that is planted by hand is for ceremonial purposes. Today the ceremony was to start off the planting season. The town invited about 15 foreigners to join in the celebrations.

The women are the planters and the men set the rhythm with drums. All of the girls were dressed by the local women in yukatas (summer kimonos) and straw hats. It took quite a while to get us all dressed, as there are many bits and pieces to the outfit. The lady that dressed me was hilarious! (and didn't speak a word of English) Let me try to paint a picture: I was on my knees so that she could put my hat on me. I had a cloth covering my face, and she lifted it up and screamed "Boo!" in my face! Even on my knees, our eyes we at the same level. She giggled away to herself, and got on with the dressing. It was a great moment. Anyway, we had a parade to the rice field, walking to the beat of the drums. The women got into the muddy field and seperated the bunches of rice. The men lined up in the field behind us. Some songs were sung and prayers said to bless the field for a good crop. Then it was working time. A line of about 30 women planted three small bunches of rice, took a step back and did it again. Every three steps back or so we paused as the men sang another song. This continued for about an hour. We were stopped in the middle for some speeches....I think an important man was there, who needed to say his bit and get out, so we had to wait. It was a little awkward for us, because we were sinking in about a foot of mud. It was so hard to stand! After that is was another hour of planting in unison and we were finished.

There were more speeches at the end, but at least we got to stand on solid ground. I was having some troubles getting my cool mud shoes off....a couple of men noticed, and insisted on taking them off for me! It was quite a scene....have a look at the photos! The provided us with a great spread of Japanese food and beer to reward us for our work!

I'm so happy that I was able to be a part of this event. I don't think I have what it would have taken to be a rice planter....but for one day I was more than happy to participate! Dressing up, planting, meeting new people, learning about Japanese history....I couldn't have asked for a better day. I just really wish that I could be a part of the harvest in November! Maybe I'll come back.....

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Photos

the rice planters
Casey, Stephanie, me, Lisa, Jennifer

getting suited up
Casey (and the rest of us behind)

cheers!
pre-planting cup of sake

Comments

[Stacey]

Great Photos!
Heza san! It looks like you enjoyed a very "real Japan" kind of day! I guess we're just not suited for the agricultural life of Japan, as mikan picking was rather trying too! Thanks for the photos:)

[Roothie]

An Honour
What a neat ceremony to be a part of, Heather! An honour to be invited, too. One of yet, another fabulous memory you have of this whole Japan experience! What a marvelous book you'll have when you bind this whole travel blog together! We'll have to have a tea visit when you come back! Well, maybe a few cups, in fact!