Beyond Rice Harvesting

Yesterday morning, I spent time with my parents in my hometown Matsumoto, Nagano.

It was for our annual event: rice harvesting at our tiny organic rice paddy.

Emika

Jogging to our rice paddy was a bit windy, but so refreshing!

Unlike the dominant method with combine harvesters, we harvest rice plants (ears of rice) manually with sickles.

However, rice is actually a byproduct for us.

The primary purpose for my parents is coexisting with little creatures in and around the paddy.

So adorable! We feel them like family members♡

Emika

Yes, “family work” in two ways~

Exactly. That’s basically why we use no pesticides, no herbicides, no tilling, and no combine harvesters.

Arguably, it’s impossible never to hurt any single creatures.

Yet it is possible to be conscious of other beings and minimize the occurrences.

The way my parents try not to kill small beings as much as possible. The way they respect and coexist with those tiny beings.

Seeing how our parents work at the rice paddy always puts things into perspective. It reminds me of the attitude I want to nurture towards all beings.

Emika

Japanese Flextarian

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A plant-based food lover, born and raised in Japan. Currently based in Tokyo — and sometimes, in the Netherlands. I explore the connection between food, culture, and ordinary life through simple recipes and warm cross-cultural stories. I mainly write in English and Dutch.
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