TOKYO, Sep 04 (News On Japan) –
The Emperor of Japan carried out the annual rice harvest on Wednesday afternoon within the paddy fields of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, carrying rubber boots and holding a sickle, rigorously harvesting the ripened rice stalks one after the other with practiced palms.
The rice consists of two varieties: “Nihon Masari,” a kind of non-glutinous rice, and “Mangetsu Mochi,” a kind of glutinous rice. The seeds had been sown in April, and the Emperor personally planted the seedlings in May.
Despite being affected by excessive warmth and sudden downpours this 12 months, the rice has grown properly.
The Emperor harvested a complete of 20 stalks.
The harvested rice shall be used for rituals on the Imperial Court and the Ise Grand Shrine.
Rice cultivation on the Imperial Palace started with Emperor Showa and has been handed down from the Emperor Emeritus to the present Emperor.
Source: ANN