Tanada Terraced Rice Paddy CultureIn Tango Town and Oe Town
If you are lucky this month you might even see a farmer or two ankle-deep in the fields, patiently sticking rice seedlings through the water into the rich bed of muck below. Rice paddies, terraced and unterraced can be found all over Kyoto Prefecture. However, some places are more picturesque than others. Tango Town’s terraces are laid out on top of rugged seaside cliffs and are probably the most beautiful in Japan. Oe Town’s rice terraces are just a dramatically arranged in a mountainous setting.
Rice cultivation began in Japan about two thousand years ago. And over the course of two millenia, rice-related rituals and activities became the notes that created the rhythm of the yearly Japanese cycle. For obvious reasons, rice cultivation, from the very start, was strongly connected to religious and spiritual rites. Ta-no-Kami, god of the paddies, was thought to protect rice plants and have the power to bring about abundant harvests.
Originally, rice seeds were planted directly in the paddy fields. This method persisted until about the 5th or 6th century, when the practice of raising seedlings first in nursery beds and then transplanting them to the fields began. Seedlings, actually tall shoots, are raised in tight clusters during April and May in special nursery beds. In June, with the rains and the resulting high humidity, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted to the flooded fields in a process known as ta-ue, or “field-planting.”
Rice is much more than just food in Japan. The rice stalk or wara is used for all kinds of things and this is even true today. Some common uses include stuffing for pillows and tatami mats. Stalks were also woven to make raincoats, sandals, and shoes. Rice straw is also used to wrap food, and make straw bags, sacks, mats, and ropes. Finely chafed rice straw is mixed with clay or earth to make Japanese wall plaster or mud. The stalks were also used to feed livestock and as mulch or fertilizer (burned to make ash) in the fields.
May Event Highlights
Rice Planting in Oe Town: The Kehara tanada rice terraces of Oe Town are ranked in the top 100 in Japan. At this event ( reservations at 0773-56-1101), visitors can experience rice planting and vegetable planting.Afterwards, talk and have fun with the locals over a simple meal of rice and fresh food and vegetables. Access: KTR Miyafuku line to Oeyamaguchi Naigu Sta. (and then a 30-min walk from the station, or a short taxi ride). Hotokeno Mai Dance at Matsunoodera Temple (5/8): The temple stands halfway up Aobayama Mountain in Maizuru. The main hall was rebuilt in 18th century. Annually, on this day, a highly-recommended traditional dance (Hotoke no mai) is held in the compound. Dancers wear three different nyorai masks and beat drums as they gracefully dance. There is a fine wakaba (new leaf) hiking course near the temple.Tel: 0773-62-2900 Access: 30 min. by taxi from Higashi Maizuru Sta., JR Maizuru line.