A day in the golden field

After only three hours sleep due to Mikas wedding yesterday, I am surprised I didn't fall asleep amongst the ricestacks near Yabuki, an hours drive from Koriyama. But no, today was all about harvesting rice, so no time for idyllic napping, despite the inviting laid-back atmosphere that always greet you on the countryside. I love the countryside.
The trip was organized by a threesome, - a local NGO for mentally challenged people, Kalmia which is an international organization in Koriyama and the owners of the field, the local sake brewery whom I assume will use the harvested rice for making at least cooking sake.

Equipped with a small scythe for cutting and softened weed for bundling the work came around pretty easily. Here it is my Malaysian friend Shy, who almost disappeared in the ricefield.


Bundling with Ayako-san.
Confused frogs jumped around our feet, wondering why we cut down their golden rice-forest.
We were around 50 people cutting down, bundling and stacking the rice.


Here is the field well halfway through:
Afterwards a celebration lunch was arranged with mochi in tons of variations, the local community performed a traditional danceshow and the day was rounded up with a quiz in Japanese about farming in Japan. I have no idea how I ended up with a price. (I think I owe that one to Shy of Robyn).
Here we are, the whole group from Kalmia:



This fellow is my favorite resident in Yabuki. I absolutely adore him.

Tons of babies

Today's Ikebana decoration was chosen to honor the fact that Mika is getting married in two days. The small bell peppers you see at the bottom of the decoration symbolize fertility, so this was Gunji-sensei's way of wishing Mika a happy and productive marriage. Here is Mika with Gunji-sensei's decoration and Mie-chan: Ikebana was also very special today because my sis attended the class. Gunji-sensei had gone out of her way to prepare a good experience. Japanese people tend to show a hospitality that can only inspire.

Sis made a beautiful autumn decoration with german iris and red berries.










As Mika had to hurry on for wedding pic shooting, Gunji-sensei had arranged for another woman to come and help with translation. Lots of regional handicraft was showed and discussed.
The red cow on the pic is the Akabeko cow, a famed toy from the Aizu region.

After all the 'hard' work a feast of a lunch was served. It included various types of tempura, tofu, cucumber and crab salad, mountain vegetables, the best seasoned rice I have ever had and a deluxe miso soup and nuka-pickles. We got to help arrange it, which was quite fun:-) We also got to taste a homemade healthy fruit/vinegar drink. I don't remember the name of the fruit though. Itadakimasu! :

Hot dog

Who says, that just because you are a dog, you can't dress up for a day's fun?

This picture was shot at the newest (and biggest) outlet mall in Tohoku region, located in the outskirts of Sendai.

Dressing up your dog is sort of normal here in Japan, and you can find racks of dogs clothes in every other well-stocked shopping center.
This fellow is well above the average though, even wearing a bracelet. A pity we didn't get a pic of her cool mate dressed in leather jacket, red scarf and killer sunglasses. Or their owners...

Did I mention the dogs had their own stroller?

Japanese Sweets

These lovely adzuki bean filled sweets were a gift from our neighbor. Love, love, LOVE anything filled with adzuki bean paste.

Rice fields...again

There is one sight we never seem to grow tired of, - the rice fields. No matter what time of the year their way and color attract us. Maybe it is because rice (or products made of rice like sake, sushi and mochi) take an important role in most Japanese ceremonies and festivals thus are continually forced upon us seeking to gain knowledge obout the Japanese culture. Maybe it is because rice is the most important part of any Japanese meal and we therefore enjoy them several times pr. day. Or maybe its simply because the fields are gorgeous.

At this time of the year the yellow rice contrasts the green leaves beautifully.
This is how it will look in a month or so, as a perfect golden rug they will be ready for harvest.
(the pic is from last year).