Hello.
Although the day time temperatures are still in the mid twenties night times are cold and the leaves are beginning to turn. Most of the green rice fields are now harvested brown stumps. And here I have failed you-I have some pictures of the rice harvest but on my useless Japanese phone where they are trapped. So I'll try and explain.
The rice is harvested using a miniature combine and the stalks are gathered into cone shapes tied at the base and then hung upside-down along a horizontal pole. The green smell of rice growing is no longer in the breeze but instead is the scent of persimmon trees. Persimmons are traditional Japanese fruits that are ready to eat in autumn. They look a bit like yellowy beef tomatoes. The smell is slightly citrusy and fresh but with a hint of sherbet. The flavour is quite delicate and the texture somewhere between an apple and a plum.
Japan is waking up for the sleepiness induced by the heavy summer heat and now it is festival season again. We missed out on the Spring festival time because most events were cancelled after the earthquake. So this weekend we're looking forward to Seki Knife festival and Mino lantern festivals. Pictures to follow.
Love Jo
No comments:
Post a Comment