Fifth graders at Shinryu Elementary School participated in a rice farming experience: harvesting rice (Takada Farm) and hanging the rice on racks (Shinryu Elementary School). A valuable experience filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment!

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Starting at 10:00 on Thursday, September 19th, 10 fifth graders from Hokuryu Town's Shinryu Elementary School (Principal Kamata Sadao) had the opportunity to experience rice harvesting in the rice fields of Takada Co., Ltd. in Mitani, Hokuryu Town.

Rice harvesting (Takada Farm)

Four months have passed since the rice was planted in May. Now it's time for a rice harvesting experience, where participants harvest the healthy, golden rice using the traditional sickle method.

10 fifth graders from Shinryu Elementary School

Golden rice

Takada explains how to cut the grass

"Today, you will harvest the rice that you all planted in May.

The sickle is very sharp, so be careful not to cut your hands.

"You hold a bundle of rice, hold it at an angle, place the sickle at the base, and cut it all the way around towards you in one go, following the curve of the sickle. When cutting, you hold the top of the bundle, being careful not to bring the handle of the bundle close to the blade of the kettle. Hold the top and cut the bottom," Takada explains carefully.

We took pictures of the rice before harvesting using a tablet, then each took a sickle and began harvesting.

Photographing rice plants with a tablet

Rice harvesting work

At first, the students were timid and clumsy, but once they got the hang of it and got used to it, they were able to trim the grass quickly and easily.

"I got it!!!" a joyful cry of delight

Get the hang of it and it's quick and easy!

Everyone was engrossed!

Be efficient and efficient!

Let's all join forces!

Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro paid a visit to encourage us despite his busy schedule!

Mayor Sasaki also participated in the rice harvesting with everyone!

Almost there! Ganba!

Let's all take a commemorative photo together!

Rice bundles are tied together with plastic string

The harvested rice is bundled together with plastic string.

Carefully and carefully...

With lots of love...

With gratitude for every grain of rice...

Principal Sadao Kamata also helps out!

Now, the final sprint!!!

Loading the rice bundles into a light truck...

thoughts

Akimitsu Takada

"It was great to see the children having fun and mowing efficiently," said Takada.

Shinryu Elementary School, 5th grade

"I'm happy that the small rice has grown big enough to eat.
At first, I couldn't harvest the rice in one go, but once I got used to it, I was able to harvest it in one go and it was fun.
"When I eat the finished rice, I want to take my time to savor it because it's rice I grew myself," said a student.

Rice racking

The rice is transported to the elementary school gymnasium, where it is hung on the railings on the second floor to dry.

The process involves drying the rice, which contains moisture, to reduce the moisture content to about 15%. The drying process takes about two weeks.

Hand it over with a smile!

Climb the stairs to the second floor...



Rice bundles lined up...

Divide the bundle into two parts

I hope it dries well...

Make sure you don't fall behind and stick to it until the very end...

Let's take a commemorative photo together!

The golden rice has grown beautifully thanks to the abundant blessings of nature!

We hope that these great rice plants, filled with the students' joy, excitement, and lots of love, will turn into the most delicious rice ever!!!

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for the students' precious rice harvesting experience, which was filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment...

Shinryu Elementary School website (photograph and article by Principal Sadao Kamata)

YouTube videos

Other photos

Click here for 254 photos of the "Rice Farming Experience" for 5th graders at Shinryu Elementary School, from rice planting to observation to harvesting (Takada field) >>

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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)