Rice Ritual - Loveland, CO
Posted by: 
Outspoken1
N 40° 25.431 W 105° 05.640
13T E 492026 N 4474806
This female rice farmer appears to be dressed in traditional Japanese garb. She is probably planting the first rice of the season as part of the many Rice Rituals of traditional Japan.
Waymark Code: WMMRYT
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 10/31/2014
Views: 2
"Gods of the field, benevolent patrons of rice
Since the classical era in Japan, many local belief systems have been tied to the idea that special gods preside over the fortunes of the rice fields. These gods shelter themselves in the mountains during winter and come out into the world in spring to hold watch over the plants' growth and insure an abundant harvest. When they descend to the villages, the gods are thought to harbor themselves in cherry trees; the blooming of the cherry blossoms heralded the arrival of the gods, and signaled the beginning of rice-planting season.
People developed rituals in order to inspire the gods of the fields to insure a rich harvest. For instance, at the beginning and ending of their planting, people offered to them seedlings bundled into threes; and when harvest took place they would cut and lay bundles of new rice in a special part of the field as a tribute. A whole array of ritual practices and festivals developed as both celebration and tribute to the gods of the rice fields." (from (
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"The History of rice and rice agriculture in the Japanese archipelago is not a long one. According to the accepted view, rice was introduced into Japan during the period between the Final Jomon and the Early Yayoi Period. But recent phytolith studies indicate that rice may have been in Japan as early as the Early Jomon, approximately 6000 years ago(Takamiya, 2001). Rice occupies an emotional place in Japanese history, society, and political economy (Hsu, 1994).
Rice production is important to the food supply, with rice being a staple part of the Japanese diet. Japan is the ninth largest producer of rice in the world in rice production. The rice seasons in Northern Japan last from May–June to September–October. In central Japan, it is from April–May to August–October. In southern Japan the rice season is from April -May to August–September. About 85% of the 2.3 million farms in Japan plant rice yearly. Improved varieties of japonica rice are grown in almost all prefectures in the country. The most widely planted variety is Koshihikari." (from (
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