Studies on the traditional harvesting methods of rice in ibaraki prefecture japan
Osaki, K.; Kikkawa, A.; Tsukihashi, T.; Moriizumi, S.; Takashima, A.; Hagiya, T.
Scientific Reports of the Faculty of Agriculture Ibaraki University 23: 107-124
1975
Accession: 006522602
The geographical conditions of paddy fields, the methods of reaping and drying and the working process of the harvest in Ibaraki prefecture (Japan), are described. In the harvest season about 20% of all paddy fields are well-drained, about 30% are semi-marshy and the rest (50% or so) are marshy. Although marshy paddy fields exist in both flat and hilly land, they are more common in the southern part of Ibaraki prefecture. About 90% of all paddy fields are single-cropped and about 10% are double-cropped. A saw-type sickle is the common type. The reaping method of Tukamigali (seize a bundle of the roots and reap) is used in almost all paddy fields. Rice racks are generally used for drying. Reaping and binding (at the same time), drying by rice rack and threshing within the premises is the process common in marshy fields (60% of all paddy fields). Reaping, binding, drying by rice rack and threshing within the premises is the method used on 1/3 of all paddy fields. Reaping, drying on the ground and threshing within the field is used in about 10% of the fields. Reaping and binding (small bundle), binding (big bundle), transportation to the premises, drying by rice rack and threshing within the premises is a process limited to areas having many marshy fields and is used less than 10% of the time.