Thursday, September 11, 2025
- 1 A golden school! Shinryu Elementary School offers an exciting rice harvesting experience
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A golden school! Shinryu Elementary School offers an exciting rice harvesting experience
On Wednesday, September 10th at 10:00 a.m., six fifth graders from Hokuryu Town Shinryu Elementary School (Principal Kamata Sadao) had the opportunity to experience rice harvesting in the rice field of Takada Akimitsu of Takada Co., Ltd. in the Mitani district of the town.
Four months have passed since the rice was planted in May. This is a valuable experience of harvesting the healthy, golden rice with the traditional sickle method.
In the middle of the harvested rice field, there was a patch of rice left unharvested for the day, waiting for us to try out.
Farmer's advice: How to use a sickle
The students first greeted Akimitsu Takada, who carefully instructed each student on how to harvest rice.
"Grab a bundle of rice, hold the top of the bundle firmly, and cut it all the way around the base towards you. The sickle is very sharp, so be careful not to cut your hand," Takada explains with a gentle look in his eyes.
Let's try harvesting rice!
At first, the students were a little clumsy, but once they got the hang of it, they were mowing quickly with a satisfying "snap" sound.
Cheerful voices arose from all around.
- "Yay, I managed to mow it well!"
- "It's starting to get fun!"
- "There are two frogs! They make a great couple!"
Everyone seemed to be having a great time, working quickly and finishing in no time.
It was impressive to see them picking up every single stalk of harvested rice.
Carrying the harvested rice carefully
The harvested rice is carefully bundled with plastic string and loaded onto a light truck.
Commemorative photo in front of the scarecrow and sign
They took a commemorative photo with proud smiles on their faces, together with the scarecrows they made themselves!
Then we moved to the elementary school gymnasium.
Rice planting in the gymnasium
The rice is carried up to the second floor of the gymnasium and hung on the railings to dry, a process known as "rice racking."
This is an important step, as it involves drying the rice, which is high in moisture, until it is reduced to about 15% moisture. The rice is left to dry quietly for about two weeks.
"I hope it dries well!" I can almost hear that wish.
Commemorative photo
Everyone peeked their faces out from between the rice racks for a final commemorative photo!
With gratitude for the sparkling rice ears that sparkle with the power of love
Abundantly blessed by nature, the golden ears of rice shine with the power of the rice spirit!
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for these magnificent, exquisite rice plants that are filled with the joy, excitement, and overflowing love of the students...
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