Emperor and Family Preserve Agricultural Traditions

May 15, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Emperor Naruhito participated in rice planting at the Imperial Palace. Along with rice cultivation, Empress Masako is also engaged in sericulture, raising silkworms, with the help of the Emperor and Princess Aiko in a tradition known as the 'Reiwa Style.'

In Boots, Planting Rice at the Imperial Palace

Wearing boots, the Emperor stepped into the paddy fields at the Imperial Palace. This annual rice planting event involves planting two varieties of rice, uruchimai (non-glutinous rice) and mochigome (glutinous rice), totaling 20 seedlings.

The seedlings were grown from seeds sown by the Emperor last month. The process begins with sowing seeds in spring, planting in early summer, and harvesting in autumn.

The tradition of rice cultivation at the Imperial Palace was initiated by Emperor Showa to appreciate the hardships of farmers. This tradition has been passed down to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and now to Emperor Naruhito, with each generation of emperors praying for a bountiful harvest through rice cultivation.

Empresses Throughout History Have Also Engaged in Sericulture

Another tradition upheld by the Imperial Family is the raising of silkworms. Since the Meiji era, successive empresses have undertaken this responsibility, with Empress Masako continuing this tradition handed down by Empress Emerita Michiko.

Empress Masako's approach to sericulture is considered the "Reiwa Style." The Emperor and Princess Aiko also participate in the tasks traditionally performed by empresses.

Princess Aiko, during her elementary school years, received silkworms as part of a school project and has since continued raising them for several generations. This ensures the preservation of sericulture techniques and the continuation of this imperial tradition.

Source: ANN

Japan Introduces Stricter Penalties for Drunk Driving

Japan began applying a new numerical alcohol threshold for dangerous driving offenses on July 21, introducing a clearer standard for cases involving impaired driving that could lead to fatal accidents.

Japan Sets Investment Strategy

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government approved its first annual basic economic and fiscal policy on Tuesday, pledging "responsible and proactive fiscal policy" and envisioning about 370 trillion yen in public- and private-sector investment in strategic industries through fiscal 2040.

Mount Fuji Filmed From a Helicopter

Breathtaking 4K footage filmed from a helicopter offers a sweeping aerial view of Mount Fuji and its majestic surrounding landscape.

Japan Scrambles for Oil

A covert network of shuttle tankers is carrying crude through the increasingly dangerous Strait of Hormuz as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran disrupts shipping and raises concerns over how Japan will secure the oil it needs.

Russia Calls Japan-Ukraine Drone Cooperation a Clear Hostile Act

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has criticized moves by Japanese and Ukrainian companies to cooperate on drone technology, warning that such ties would be regarded by Moscow as a "clear hostile act."

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Police Fire Warning Shot at Knife-Wielding Woman

A police officer fired a warning shot into the air after a 42-year-old woman approached officers while pointing a kitchen knife at them on a street in Eniwa, Hokkaido, on July 17.

Armed Driver Crashes Car Into Convenience Store

A 45-year-old man was arrested early July 20 after allegedly crashing a passenger car into a convenience store in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and walking around the parking lot carrying a kitchen knife and a golf club.

Drunk Driver Rams Roaring Motorcycle

A 42-year-old man was arrested after allegedly driving under the influence and intentionally ramming a motorcycle in Togitsu, Nagasaki Prefecture, leaving its rider seriously injured.

Giant Tug-of-War Rope Snaps, Injuring Over a Dozen

More than a dozen people were injured after a massive rope suddenly snapped during a tug-of-war at a festival in Kitami, Hokkaido, sending participants falling backward onto an asphalt road.

Housing Complex With 70% Foreigners Introduces Fine System

A public housing complex in Aichi Prefecture where about 70% of households are occupied by foreign residents is showing signs of improvement after introducing multilingual communication, foreign-led neighborhood activities and a 3,000-yen fine for residents who skip community cleaning duties.

Old Sake Brewery Goes Up In Smoke

A fire that broke out at the long-established Echigo Tsurukame sake brewery in a densely populated residential district of Niigata City on July 19 destroyed the brewery and spread to at least six nearby homes, with firefighters still unable to declare the blaze fully extinguished by noon on July 20.

Husband and Wife Killed in Ashikaga Landslide

Two people found dead in a collapsed home following a landslide in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, have been identified as a married couple in their 60s who lived at the property, city officials said.

Bacteria on Nurse's Uniform Match Those Found in Slain Patient's Blood

Bacteria found in excrement on the uniform of a former nurse arrested on suspicion of killing a hospital patient by contaminating his intravenous drip matched bacteria detected in the victim's blood, investigators have found.

< 2 3 4 5 >