| ISHIKAWA, Sep. 8 – In Shiroyone Senmaida rice terraces in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, approximately 100 rice paddy owners and high school students harvested rice on September 7 for the first time after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
Most of the 1004 rice terraces suffered damage, including cracks, from the earthquake on Jan. 1. Shiroyone Aiko Kai, the local group responsible for maintaining the terraces, restored approximately 120 before the plowing season. A group of locals volunteered to plant rice in May. Paddy owners chose Noto Hikari, an early season variety developed by the prefecture to secure longer time for restoration works after harvesting. The rice harvest began on September 3 and continued until 8. Volunteers and dispatched officials from all over the country participated in the harvesting. Students from Wajima High School joined the harvesting team two years in a row. Ayaka Sakaguchi, 16, said she is worried because she heard that there are fewer people to take over the rice paddy. Hiroyuki Yamashita, a 65-year-old member of the group maintaining the terraces, instructed the students how to bundle harvested rice. He said, “I’m so thankful. We need young people to protect the tradition that requires a lot of workforces.” Many of the terraces still have many invisible cracks. “There is still a lot of work to be done, but we will continue to work hard on the restoration even after the rice harvest,” he continued.  Members of the Shiroyone Aiko Kai and supporters enjoying rice harvesting at Shiroyone Senmaida rice terraces (on September 7 in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture) |