After planting
Japanese Food.
Rice forms the foundation of Japanese culture. The first flowering of civilization was built on rice in Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, because the scenery formed a gentle climate.
In Edo Period dictionary, the rice plant was defined as “Root of the life”. Since the dawn of history, rice has been highly regarded as the ideal food crop. Indeed, in Japan, rice receives the reverence due to a god. Rice is rooted in the character of the land and forms the foundation of the culture of Japanese people. As the sun appeared at the horizon, our ancestors would face the dawn and offer a prayer. In supplication for the coming harvest, festivals are held in many places for the gods, they are guardian angels protecting living people in each place. In autumn, there is something so satisfying, when they look at rice ears drooping under the weight of grain. They feel grateful to the power that makes this possible and appreciate the richness of the ground. These feelings inspire the spirit of the Japanese nation, the Japan that has long revered rice. Rice formed the basis of currency in Japan since the Yamato dynasty. A gold coin ( koban, 小判 ) represented a large quantity of rice. In the past, most farmers would raise chickens and pigs. Wheat would be sown as a secondary crop, and soybeans were commonly planted on field ridges. Miso, soy sauce, fermented beans, and pickles were made by farm households, which often also carried out spinning and weaving. Then, many folk tales were told in many places. Based on Kuzuko Tomiyama's "Rice in Japan" calendar. They live together in harmony with nature, connected each other. |
As the sun appeared at the horizon, our ancestors would face the dawn and offer a prayer.
These scenes above were painted by the illustrator Kuroi Ken.
These scenes above were painted by the illustrator Kuroi Ken.